Round Up

There was a top of the table clash in Division 2 with Mallaby, now residing at their new Whitby home, going head to head with visiting leaders South Liverpool. It was the hosts who took up the early running and deservedly went ahead through John Coulter and increased their lead on the half hour when Jordan Costello took advantage of a defensive mistake. The 2 goal deficit appeared to spur South into action and after applying increasing pressure, they reduced the arrears thanks to a superb Neil Best free kick. By half time they were level after Cameron Dalton struck from close range. The sides generally cancelled one another out, after the break as the combatants settled for a point apiece from a 2-2 draw. Despite being involved in a goalless affair with Mossley Hill Athletic Reserves, Heswall Reserves remain third and although surrendering the majority of possession, 4th placed Ashville Reserves ran out remarkable 5-0 midweek winners over Richmond Raith Rovers. There were contrasting fortunes for the teams at the weekend though as Richmond John Garner and Rob Nadine edged out Prescot Cables Reserves, 2-1, in the league, while Ashville bowed out of the Haworth and Gallagher Bowl at the 1st time of asking to Marshalls who won 8-7 on penalties after the teams had earlier shared 4 goals. Trevor Worsley, Peter Rutter, Jamie Gardiner and Graham Edge hit the target as Willaston notched up their best league victory of the campaign when defeating Helsby 4-1 and Maghull Reserves [Chris Nation, Mike McGinn] recorded an away day success when defeating Manor Athletic [Andy Kingdom] 2-1. There were celebrations for lowly 2nd Division outfit Capenhurst Villa who put paid to the Wirral Senior Cup hopes of Division 1 high flyers Cammell Laird Reserves. Phil Strap and Louis Walters were the Villa heroes in the 2-1 first round triumph as Craig Cairns struck for Lairds.
Division 1 action saw Heswall leap back to top spot courtesy of an emphatic 5-0 victory over Upton AA. Richie Foulkes led the way with a double, brother Robbie, Chris Adamson and an own goal completed the tally. Previous leaders Marine Reserves slumped to a 2-0 defeat against a West Kirby side running into form. Mike McGraa was again on the mark and was joined on the score sheet by Dave Bowe as The Seasiders revved up for Saturday’s visit to Heswall. There was a 7 goal thriller at Newton were the hosts stayed in the hunt by edging out Mossley Heath Athletic. Dave Thompson, 2, Liam Smith and Ruben Carroll obliged for Newton with Kurt Sherlock, 2, and Karl Garnell replying for Mossley. Tom Craig gave Vauxhall Motors Reserves a 1st half lead against Christleton with a neatly executed finish from Ben Smith completing their 2-0 success and a Kevin Frankland double spearheaded Southport Trinity’s 3-1 defeat of hosts Maghull. Chester Nomads [Dale Harris, Ed Moss, 2,] shared 6 goals with Hale [Carl Latham, 2, o.g.] and Blacon YC [Ian McElmeel, 2, Aiden Shannon, Jamie Rogers] returned to winning ways when getting the better of bottom side Ellesmere Port [Ryan Nicoll, 2,] by 4 goals to 2.
In the West Cheshire Shield 1st Round, Josh Cullen was responsible for his side’s total as they overcame Beb Athletic Reserves 3-0 and another hat trick star was Joe Connelly as Gateacre saw off Widnes Town 5-0. It was a tight affair at Belfry where Jay Fraser netted the game’s solitary goal for visitors Marshalls Reserves whose team boss Imad Ali becomes the Carlsberg Manager of the Month for October. Dave Halsall and Steve Christian struck for Redgate Rovers as they accounted for Capenhurst Villa Reserves, 2-0, while early goals from Paul Wilson, 2, and Pat Kelly were enough to dispose of Upton AA Reserves but Hale Reserves bowed out of the competition when going down 4-2 to Ellesmere Port Reserves who had Chris Brown as a 2 goal man. There were Youth Division victories for Gateacre, Ramsbottom Town and South Liverpool over Bootle, Custys and Vauxhalls respectively.
From Saturday next, league games on non-floodlight grounds will kick off at 2.00 p.m.