Rainhill Town took the Pyke Cup last four berth.

Mersey Royal's four-pronged attack on this season's silverware gathered momentum, following two significant results inside four days. In midweek Vauxhall Motors Res. scored through Stewart Jackson but capitulated to a Liam Driscoll double as the MSC Express West Cheshire League Division One leaders carved out a 2-1 victory and took a step nearer retaining their top flight title. On Saturday a solitary effort from Adam Smith was enough, as the Royal accounted for Capenhurst Villa and secured their passage to the Pyke Cup semi-finals, WRITES ERNIE MCDONALD.

In contrast, it was a disappointing conclusion to the week for Vauxhall Motors Res. who missed out on a Pyke Cup last four berth, after they went down 3-2 on penalties at the weekend to Rainhill Town following a 3-3 stalemate. On target for the Motormen in normal time were Shay Roberts, Connor Courtnell and Jack Darlington with Steve Melville (2) and Eddie Hawthorne in reply for the victors.

Commiserations to Division Three minnows, Higher Bebington Kelma, who gave an excellent account of themselves and had Ben Kierman on the scoresheet against former West Cheshire club Cammell Laird 1907, in a 1-1 finish in Tuesday's Wirral DFA Senior Cup 1st round clash, before they lost 4-3 on spot kicks.

On the League scene, Bootle St. Edmunds' hopes of narrowing Mersey Royal's lead at the top of Division One suffered a setback, after they fell victim to a goal from Mossley Hill Ath.'s Paul Pearson. Third placed Newton also forfeited ground, and had an own goal to show for their efforts following a 1-1 draw at Aintree Villa, who scored through Matt Wardell.
Dave Finnie netted for Chester Nomads but it was visitors, Marine U23's who profited, Alex Northover, Tom Hewlett, Jonny Bravo and George Maddock obliging in a 4-1 success.

Relegation threatened Heswall savoured a much needed victory when goals from Matty Walsh, Travis O'Brien and Tom Haynes underpinned a welcome 3-0 decision over Litherland Remyca Res. while Ellesmere Port Town were relegated to bottom spot, after they scored through Sam McNeill but went down 7-1 at Marshalls, whose marksmen were Jacob Till (3) Callum Hodgkinson(2)Josh Lavender and Tim Davidson.

Sadly it was announced at Thursday's Council meeting that Prescot Cables Res. have resigned from Division One and their record to date has been expunged.

Division Two leaders, Poulton Victoria had a roller coaster of a ride this week in their bid to secure promotion. On Wednesday, first half goals from Ashville Res.' Danny Whitehead and Jordan Dilworth rocked the leaders before substitute, Kian Hamm entered the fray and bagged a fine hat trick to earn Vics maximum spoils. At the weekend the boot was on the other foot when Vics scored through Ben Kearney and Jason Bull before crashing 4-2 to replies from Helsby's Courtney Bushell(2) John Egerton and Charlie Wiggins.
Tyrese Caines, Sal Djabi and Alex Fernandes shared the goals as Bootle Res. eclipsed West Kirby 3-0 but efforts from Nathan Barnes and Steve Megarry failed to stop Cheshire Lines from losing 6-2 at home to Maghull Res. who found the net through Dan Ricketts (2) Harry Monaghan, Robbie McDonald, Tom Ward and Alfie Jones.

Ellis Byrne and Tom Black scored for Mallaby but Mossley Hill Ath. Res. secured the points when goals from Jack Boden, Andy Sweeney and Jon Liddle clinched a 3-2 decision. At Harrison Park, honours were even, after Poulton Royal finished 0-0 with South Liverpool Res.
Second placed Sutton Ath. scored through Connor Doyle and Joe Whittle but saw their promotion hopes take the knock, after South Sefton Borough struck through Sam Thompson and Rob Kearley in a 2-2 finish.

Danny Cross plundered the game's only goal as Division Three leaders, Hooton, won at Groves and stayed three points in credit at the top, while nearest rivals Higher Bebington Kelma, with goals from Kal Herbert, Andy Noonan and Albie Wood stayed in the promotion equation, after they posted a 3-2 result at Poulton Vics Res.
Dave Pursglove (2) and Jamie Watkinson were on target for third placed Aintree Villa Res., but it was the hosts, South Liverpool 3rds who had the last laugh, Joe Ferguson, Jeff Adekunie, Mike Thomas and Jack Bryant replying to set up a 4-3 victory.
Top scorers were West Kirby Res., who romped home 6-1 against Helsby Res., courtesy of efforts from Ben Keane(3) Owen Hollywood(2) and Kyle Dainton-Rogers. Seasoned campaigner Gaz Gerrad netted the visitors' consolation.

Elsewhere, goals from Will Sara-Kelly and Josh Payne counted for nought after Neston Nomads were undone by replies from Capenhurst Villa Res.' Sam Cooper, Ben Marray, and Mike Ellery.

Saturday's Youth Division action saw leaders, Mossley Hill Ath. secure a five-point advantage at the top, when Asher Duncan (2) Remy Clovis, Sam Bowsie and Charlie Fisher made the scoresheet in a 5-2 triumph at BRNESC who hit back via Jack Kelly and Jamie Shaw. Ormskirk West End chalked up their fifth win of the season, Riley Atherton and Adam Procter scoring in a 2-1 win over Runcorn Linnets. Jake Hill replied for the visitors while City of Liverpool won by the same score line against Maghull with efforts from Ruben Edwards and Tom Joynt. Maghull's scorer was Kyle Loftus.

Two Development Trophy 1st round games were staged and both were decided on penalties.
Marco Appolonio and Sam Draper netted for Chester Nomads Res., who finished 2-2 with Poulton Vics U18's before losing 5-4 on spot kicks and in the other fixture, Kian Skinley and Drew Davies were the respective scorers for South Liverpool U18's and Ellesmere Port Town Res. in a 1-1 draw before South went through 3-0 on pens.