Match Day Report

The season’s opening day produced a bagful of goals, no more so than in Division 1 where the most intriguing clash of the day matched newly promoted hosts Hale against much changed league champions Ashville. Hale built up a 2-0 lead courtesy of Sean Wright and Anthony Gray but the visitors hit back in grand style and emerged as 4-2 victors thanks to strikes by Lee Healey, Steve McCann, Ashley Robinson and Perry Black. Top marksman of the day was Southport Trinity’s Andy Vernon who found the net 4 times as his side edged a 9 goal thriller against Blacon YC. Danny Ventre plundered Trinity’s other effort while Lee McElmeel, 3, and Mike Makin netted for the Chester outfit. Craig Cairnes was a hat trick star as Cammell Laird Reserves routed visiting Ellesmere Port, 5-1. Jon Atkinson and Daniel Williams were also on target for Lairds after Ryan Nicol had earlier leveled for the Port. Another side going nap were last year’s runners up, Marine Reserves whose John Connelly led the way with a double and he was joined on the scoresheet by Karl Burquist, John Cross and Paul Pearson while host side Upton AA mustered just a single reply through William Dodd. Vauxhall Motors Reserves slipped into a 3-0 half time lead when entertaining Newton and went on to celebrate a 4-0 success thanks to efforts by Tom Craig,2, Graham Davidson and an own goal. Kieran Smith and Danny Delgardo obliged for Chester Nomads who enjoyed a 2-0 away day success at Maghull while on the previous evening a Ronnie Morgan brace stole the show as Christleton triumphed 2-0 at Mossley Hill Athletic.

Division 3 champions, South Liverpool stormed into Division 2 action by blasting 6 goals past Manor Athletic. Elliott Burnett and Alex Woodcock each bagged doubles which were supplemented by Andrew Tull and Gary Dunning while Tom Mole hit the home side’s solitary reply. Fellow promoted outfit, Helsby, [John Coady, 2, Ben Norton] triumphed by the odd goal in 5 against a Marshalls side [Rob Harper, Matty Powell] who spent last season in Division 1. The other relegated side, Willaston, [Tom Murphy, Mark Nokes, Adam Winstanley] began their bid to return to the top flight by defeating Mossley Hill Res [Sam Grainer, Paul Wells] 3-2. Heswall Reserves gained a healthy 5-1 first day success courtesy of strikes by Colin Cunliffe, 2, Lee Dermody, pen., Owen Davies and Paul Lingfield as Lee Gibson hit a consolation for opponents West Kirby Reserves. Two of last season’s promotion contenders recorded 3-1 home victories. Beb Athletic had Matty Earp, Wayne Hulse and Tom Byrne posting in their win over Maghull Reserves [Michael McGinn] while Lee Owens, Matty Bray and Lee Hughes did likewise for Prescot Cable Reserves as they overcame Capenhurst Villa [Mark Ryan]. Stewart Speed created an early season impression by netting both goals for Ashville Reserves in their 2-1 win over Mersey Royal [Jay Chesterman.]

Congratulations go to all 4 of the league’s newcomers on recording victories in their opening matches. Widnes Town set the ball rolling on Friday evening as Kev Dunne, 2, and Mark Bennett posted in a 3-1 success at Neston Nomads [Dean Jones]. Redgate Rovers opened their account as Danny Halsall, Sam Corbett, Martin Wilson, Yusuf Benarousand Rob Stinson obliged in the 5-2 defeat of Capenhurst Villa Reserves [Jamie Johnson, Damien McGinnigle] and Gateacre [John McGee, 2. Ian Hughes] edged out Christleton Reserves [Tom Jones Aiden Moore] by the odd goal in 5. Michael McNally was a 2 goal man as South Liverpool Reserves eased to a 3-0 success over Manor Athletic Reserves with Francis Evans completing the tally. Last season’s basement boys Hale Reserves launched their campaign with an outstanding 6-1 triumph at Ellesmere Port Reserves. Spencer Douglas starred with a hat trick; James Standish netted a double with Dale Thompson completing the tally.