Various cup competitions were the order of the day in The Houlihan’s Birkenhead Sunday Association Football League.
Great returns were had by most clubs in the Cheshire County FA Sunday Challenge Cup.
It was definitely smiles all round for Cheshire Cheese who romped to an 8-0 win at Woodhouse thanks to Lewis Gouldson who notched a five-goal salvo, added to by singles from Anthony Evans, Kie Frost, and Con Griffith.
Also into Round three are Eastham Rangers Colts who had to travel to Hartford to face their U21 side and came away with a fine 6-1 win. Dill Thomas, Cole Saunders, Jim Ludbrook, Jay Richards, Andy Rogers, and Ryan Day all netted a goal apiece.
Rock Ferry Social also made progress by the same 6-1 scoreline and also had six different scorers via Ben Ryan, Mike Williams, Rory Aldiss, Kie Hughes, Finley Eason, and Harry Wood; their victims were Kings Head FC Blue.
Wellington secured their place in the hat after Paddy Fadiman, Harry Ebbrell, Kieran Harris, and Lewis Dixon were all on the mark after hosting Wallasey side PLCC FC with a comfortable 4-1 win.
In an all Birkenhead Sunday League clash, Premier Division Lancelyn took the honours on penalties after finishing 1-1 at 90 mins with Bushell from the Maxwell’s Barber Division One.
Last week, Maxwell’s Barber Division One side, Rig Move, had the upper hand in the Wirral Premier Cup and this week KRCT FC gained their revenge via a Charlie Andrews effort 1-0.
It was a similar story for 2022 finalists, Neston Nomads, who were beaten last week by Great Float S&S as they turned it round to secure a place in the last 16. Luke Blondel and Jack Darlington were the goal getters for Neston while Peter Morgan replied Float.
Dock AFC had a home tie in the FA National Sunday Cup but gave away too many bargains as they were well beaten by a strong Liverpool side Home Bargains 5-1.
Queens Park received a walkover as their opponents pulled out of the competition and will progress to round two.
There were mixed fortunes for clubs in Division Three who were taking part in the Wirral District Football Association Sunday Junior Cup. Victoria Colts led the way with a 10-0 romp over Park Royal. Billy Harrison hit a hat-trick, with further strikes from Andy McBain, Gaz Dickenson, a Grant Fowler penalty, Jack Hughes, Owen Hughes, Natas Asmonas, and an og.
AFC Raeburn produced a fine display to dispatch Wallasey Wolves 3-0 after Danny Wharton and a Matty Amey double did the damage.
Also in the draw for round two are North Wirral Saints (Cal Sait, Ben Dunn, Sam Platt) who defeated fellow rivals Glenavon Athletic 3-2.
Despite finding the net three times from Nick McKnight, Sean Wilding, and Ben Pearson, Parkgate St Germain dipped out to Shore Villa Athletic 6-3, while Upton United made an early exit at the hands of FC Greasby 3-1.
A brace from Ben Hunter for Feeneys, who are riding high in Division Three, claimed the scalp of Lions FC from the Martin Gallier Project Division Two in the Tony Houlihan Memorial Challenge Cup.
Eagle Stirrup got back to winning ways easing to a 6-1 win at Higher Bebington Kelma, thanks to a Callum Jones treble, a Jason Farrell double, and a single from Ciaran Atkinson.
Also into the draw for round three are Poulton Victoria who dented Oxton Athletic‘s fine run of form. Finding the back of the net were Hatim Aljamal with a pair, added to by Dan Price and Lewis McBurney Dodd.
Whitby Rangers fine run of form has continued 4-2 over fellow division rivals Upton Town (Adam Ledgerton, Brendan Doherty). Marksman Matty Vickers netted twice with Dylan Doyle and Sam Cooper weighing in with one each for Whitby.
Another six-goal cup tie saw another giant killing act with Eastham Rangers (Andy Simpson (2), Jordan Crowder (2), Kieran Hodgson) having a good day at Barcode FC (Danny France) 5-1.
Cup Ties in the David Keith Tacy Memorial Cup saw all three games that took place go with form. Derby Jets (Luke Rollings, Lewis Howard (2)) outpointed two-time winners, Saughall FC, (Chris Hannon) 3-1. A Tom Boulton double for Wirral Radio Newton called the tune 2-1 over AFC Tima (Mike Redgrift). Prenton FC had Luke Wynne, Dean Wylde, and Tom Leyland on the mark and claimed their spot in round three with a narrow 3-2 victory at Barkers Armchair who replied through a Darren Whyte brace.
Due to the various cup competitions, only three league games were possible, two of those games were in the Martin Gallier Project Division Two. Last season’s Division Three Champions, Old Parks, were involved in a high-scoring game that earned all three points to take pole position in The Martin Gallier Project Division Three after a 4-3 verdict at AFC Rangers (Kieran Stockdale (2), Sam Burke) Goal-getters for Old Parks were Luke Arnold, Alex Major, John Wellman, and Cody Blackburn.
Oval FC (Matthew Vaggers, John Skipsey, Michael Simpson) accounted for Woodchurch Rovers (David Harrison) 3-1.
There was just one match in Division Three, with West Kirby United climbing to the top of the table with a narrow 3-2 success over Athletic VH. Obliging for West Kirby United were Matty Murphy, Henry Martyn, and an OG.
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