Almost 17 months since Neston Nomads were finalists in the Cheshire County Football Association Sunday Challenge Cup and an early exit last season, they went goal crazy in round one, defeating Bramhall Athletic 14-2.
Luke Blondel led the way with a six-goal blast. Also on the mark were Joe Foster with a treble, a Jacl Darlington double added to by singles from Dean Jones and Rob Marrs. Finishing it off was a 40-year-old player/manager, Lee Cairns.
Eastham Rangers Colts did not quite manage to equal them but they did hit 10 without reply. Eight different scores found the net, with Nath Saunders completing a hat-trick. The remaining seven scorers were Jim Ludbrrok, Andy Rogers, Cole Saunders, Nick Wakefield, Dillon Thomas, Zac Tyler Holland, and Aaron Hughes, during the away trip to FC Torkington. Eastham Rangers now have another away tie at Hartford U21s.
Neston Nomads also have an away trip against fellow Houlihan’s Birkenhead Sunday Association Football League Premier Division rivals Great Float S&S.
The first round of The Tony Houlihan Memorial Challenge Cup commenced with only one home win and that was AFC Shaftes (Joel Brown) who beat Oval FC (M Simpson) 5-4 after both sides finished all square at 1-1 in normal regulatory time.
Also in the hat after a 4-4 draw are Division Two newcomers, Upton Willows, who took the tie 4-2 on penaties at Maxwell’s Barber Division side Prenton FC (Dean Wylde 2, Lewis Ward, Tom Hoather).
Eagle Stirrup continued their fine early season form cementing a place in round two with a 3-1 win at Glenavon Athletic (Alex Weston). Ben Ryan was on hand with a brace, allied to a Ciaran Atkinson effort for Eagle Stirrup.
Athletic VH also recorded the same 3-1 result at West Kirby United (Henry Martyn).
The Lions FC resurgence continues with a 5-0 win at previously unbeaten Division Three leaders. Wirral Athletic. Paul Ryan (2), Ameel Al Gamri, Steve Dutton, and Gareth Craven all obliged for Lions.
Derby Jets flew in to round two thanks to Adam Larway, Kevin Day, Luke Burns, and Kiaren Woods, 4-1 at Saughall FC who replied via Owen Wharton.
Whitby Rangers registered the same result thanks to Matty Vickers, Dom Hoppe, and a pair from Leo Young to secure their passage into the next round at the expense of Old Parks FC (Daryl Hellon).
The game of the day in The Premier Division saw two of the league’s giants clash. Dock AFC took a 2-0 lead through Cam McGregor and Matt Carlin just after halftime but Queens Park fought back to take a share of the spoils with a strike each from Fenton Cavanagh and Jack Bentley.
Points and goals were traded between KRCT Bidston (Ben O’Neil) and Cheshire Cheese (Sean Wilson).
Woodchurch Hotel moved into pole position with a comfortable 5-2 result over Corsair (Jamie Scarisbrick, Nathan Fehily) and have a two-point advantage on nine points with six other clubs all on seven points and have games in hand.
A worldie from Ben Glover for Bushell Athletic was all that was needed to head the Maxwell’s Barber Division One 1-0 over Clipper FC.
Rig Move recorded their first points and win of the season after sealing a strong 4-0 result at Barcode FC. On the scoresheet for Rig Move were Shaun Weaver, Phil Jones, Lee Ludgate, and Josh McEwan,
A solitary goal from Lewis McKnight gave AFC Rangers their first maximum points haul in The Martin Gallier Project Division Two 1-0 over Barkers Armchair FC.
Wirral Radio Newton inflicted a first reversal on strongly fancied Eastham Rangers. Josh Ross with a smart double and Kieran Donahugh called the tune for the Radio guys, while Andy Simpson replied for Eastham Rangers.
Among the early pacesetters in Division Three are Feeneys FC who were victorious 3-1 over Victoria Colts (Gaz Dickenson) thanks to Mark Rand with a brace added to a Nick Amos effort, while Oxton Celtic won 2-1 at Parkgate St Germain.
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