Despite the weather, The Houlihan’s Birkenhead Sunday Association Football League managed to get over 50% of its fixtures completed with most of them being league games.
The game of the day was in the Maxwell’s Barber Division One with an all South Wirral affair. Rig Move inflicted a second league defeat and took all the points over high-flying Whitby Rangers, 6-5. Marksmen for Rig move were Josh McEwan and Steve Rowlands who both notched a brace each added to singles from Lee Ludgate and Andy Henry.Replying for Whitby Rangers were Matty Vickers and Dom Hope who both bagged a pair alongside a Matty Ellery effort.
Only two points separate teams from second down to seventh place, so all the clubs in the top eight are capable of finishing in the promotion places. Seventh-placed Prenton FC scalped unbeaten Upton Town (Brendan Woods) 2-1.
A slight shock in The David Keith Tacy Cup saw Third Division side, North Wirral Saints earn a place in round three after knocking out Martin Gallier Project Division Two side, AFC Rangers 2-1. A double from Ben Dunn secured the win, while AFC Rangers replied via Colin Singleton.
Also into the hat for round three are Athletic VH who disposed of AFC Raeburn (Tyler Roberts (2), Dan Piggott, Joshua Morgan) 6-4.
The big match of the day in the Premier Division saw Dock AFC take full advantage with a fine 2-0 result at Queens Park. It was Queens’ first league reversal of the season. At the previous meeting, the honours were shared. Between the two clubs, they have over 35 division titles between them. Dock are now within touching distance of the leading pack.
Aiming for that elusive title for the Ryan ‘Gigsy’ Atherton Memorial Trophy are Great Float S&S FC who have sailed into pole position after a hard-earned win over Cheshire champions, Lancelyn Glenavon, 3-0. Cole Marl, Frankie Ward, and Peter Ward notched the key goals.
An eight-goal thriller was not to be missed at Neston High School with the hosts going 2-0 down then 3-2 up with Wellington FC. With five minutes to go, Wellington went 4-3 up and the scorer was duly sent off for removing his shirt (a second yellow). Never-say-die Neston equalised with the last kick of the game via the penalty spot from Joe Foster. Other Neston scorers were Declan Roberts and Chris Bushell. Wellington had hat-trick hero, Ellis Byrne on the scoresheet with Ash Power.
A Mark Head hat-trick supplemented by singles from Sam Langan and Paul Ryan kept Lions FC’s 100% league record intact after defeating Barkers Armchair 5-1 and claim top spot in The Martin Gallier Project Division Two.
Eastham Rangers had Andy Simpson with a brace added to further efforts from Sean Williams, Jordan Crowder, and Martin Marshall on hand recording a fine 5-2 scoreline over Oval FC. The win keeps Eastham Rangers among the season’s early pacesetters and are looking for back-to-back promotions.
A vital win for Poulton Victoria S&S moved them away from the drop zone after Jack Gordon hit a tremendous treble, with Mickey McCann and Mark Tolcher also netting in a 5-2 result at Woodchurch Rovers.
A third consecutive league win has helped AFC Tima turn their season around after the most recent 5-0 rout at Parkgate St Germain. A Ussumane treble with Daniel King also chipping in with a couple to gain a mid-table position.
West Kirby United (Tom Fleming) had their chance of regaining top spot in Division Three dented by Glenavon Athletic (Craig Evans) who traded goals and points in a 1-1 draw.
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