Wirral's independent local news website
For the second week in succession, the weather won hands down in decimating the MSC Express West Cheshire League’s fixture programme but fortunately, the FIFA World Cup has provided a welcome distraction for many of us.
Nevertheless, a handful of fixtures managed to defy the arctic conditions as artificial surfaces once again came to the rescue.
On the minus side, the postponements have given league Fixture Secretary, Mark Ford, an extra workload in having to re-jig games lost to the weather.
The previous weekend, one game surprisingly got underway, with the rest of the programme cancelled, and it was celebration time for last term’s undefeated Division Two champions, Marine U23s, who recorded their eighth top-flight victory from seventeen starts when Alex Northover and Regan Rhodes applied the finishing touches in a 2-1 victory over Maghull, who had Robbie McDonald on target.
On Friday evening, the Mariners were back in action but despite goals from Northover, Rhodes, and Konstantinos Misios, the hosts were denied elevation to fourth place in Division One by Litherland Remyca Res., who emerged with a point after Kieran Hughes (2) and Josh Rice replied in a 3-3 stalemate.
Mersey Royal assumed pole position in Division One, and served a warning of their intent to retain the title they lifted for the first time last season, following a 5-0 decision over Heswall, inspired by a smart double from Kieran Cartwright. Further efforts from Liam Driscoll, James Ludbrook and Oliver Lloyd cemented the win.
In Division Two, a late consolation from Fenton Cavanagh was all Mallaby had to show for their efforts against an excellent Bootle Res. who were full value for their 5-1 victory, confirmed by efforts from Baf Djabi, Cam Grant, Paddy Kennedy, Joao Gomes, and Jamie Edwards. Bootle’s youngsters show great promise but in the long run, the handicap of seven defeats to date, may weigh against their outside chances of promotion.
Only one other fixture took place on Saturday, and it was thumbs up for Poulton Vics Res. who progressed to the second round of the West Cheshire Shield after Neal Ellison (2), Mick McStein, and Dylan Doyle shared the goals in a 4-2 result over Heswall Res. who had Jack Samuel and Dan Paesler in reply.
At Thursday’s Wirral DFA meeting, attended by the League Secretary, although one quarter final is still outstanding, draws were made for the District cup semi-finals which produced the following pairings :
With the seasonal break now in session, play is scheduled to resume on Saturday 7 January.
First Division
Second Division
Third Division
Youth Division
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