Round Up 07 May 2011

CARLSBERG WEST CHESHIRE AFL
WEEKLY REPORT – W/E 7th MAY

Maghull are this season’s Pyke Cup holders thanks to an emphatic 3-0 win over Newton at Vauxhalls on Friday night. Early play was scrappy and sprinkled with free kicks but the game was lit up after 29 minutes by the opening goal which saw the impressive Lee Tynan jink past 3 players before delivering the ball to Sam Wilkie who thumped the ball into the back of the net. Before the interval Lee Furlong fired over the bar as Newton searched for an equalizer and Maghull keeper Ian Lowe dived bravely at the feet of Nathan Mapletoft. Twenty minutes into the 2nd period Maghull doubled their lead when Tynan expertly finished off a smartly executed attack. It soon became 3-0 when a clever through ball set Michael A Boyle free who produced another clinical finish. There was almost a 4th when Tom Foley headed against the bar and although Newton hit the post in injury time Maghull were deserved winners of their 1st trophy since joining the West Cheshire League in 1998.
Timmy Bigland was the hat trick star as Ashville added a third trophy to this season’s haul when overcoming Capenhurst Villa in grand style in the final of the Haworth and Gallagher Bowl at Ashville. Bigland opened the scoring in the 18th minute when firing home from just inside the penalty area. The Wallasey outfit quickly added a 2nd as Chris Barrow converted a Dave Rudge cross only for Villa to reduce the arrears on the half hour mark thanks to a Mark Higham spot kick. Early in the 2nd period Rudge was on hand to make the score 3-1 in Ashville’s favour and although Villa battled hard to get back into a competitive encounter with 7 minutes remaining Bigland netted his 2nd of the night. Substitute Ross Rule soon added a 5th with the final score line becoming 6-1 as Bigland completed his treble in added time.
The Complete Focus Shield final at Vauxhalls brought together the 3rd Division champions Runcorn Linnets Reserves and runners up Manor Athletic. The opening exchanges were dominated by Manor but Linnets came more into the game and after a goal less 1st period the champions applied increasing 2nd half pressure. It was Linnets who were to supply the game’s only goal which arrived with 8 minutes remaining when Jack Webb hit a sublime free kick into the corner of the net.
Chester Nomads added the icing to their promotion cake when lifting the Chester Senior Cup at Chester FC’s ground on Friday. The 2nd Division runners up ran out 5-1 victors over Highfield Athletic with Mark Crossan, Dale Harris, Danny Delgardo, Andrew Fitzgibbon and George Pulford the men on target. There was a shock in store for Helsby in the final of the Runcorn Challenge Cup. Holders of the trophy for the last 2 seasons the West Cheshire outfit suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Runcorn Albion.
The Division 1 league programme was completed in midweek when bottom side Blacon YC rounded off a miserable campaign by going down 8-0 at Marshalls. Joe Connelly led the way for the hosts with a hat trick while Sean Robinson, 2, Phil Davies, Dave Sabri and Richard Jones also netted. In Division 3 New Brighton Reserves [Liam Jameson, 2, Aaron Woods, Luke Hughes] got the better of table trailers Hale Reserves [Tony McKinley, 2, James Mairs] by the odd goal in 7.
In the only outstanding fixture for West Cheshire clubs 2nd Division Mossley Hill Athletic take on East Villa in the Liverpool Challenge Cup final on Tuesday 10th May. The encounter takes place at Liverpool FA County Ground, Walton Hall Avenue, kick off 6.30 p.m.