Saturday welcomed the first round of the Cheshire County FA Amateur Cup, and saw thirteen Go2Day West Cheshire League sides in action.
It was a day of mixed emotions after only four sides progressed, one of which was Capenhurst Villa, who celebrated a 4-0 victory over Dukinfield Town, highlighted by a Steve Rowlands hat-trick. Jamie Easton was Cape’s other marksman but it was the end of the line for local rivals, Vauxhall Motors Res., who went out on penalties after their tussle with Poynton finished in a 0-0 stalemate.
Division Two leaders, Mallaby, lowered the flag of Cheshire AFL Premier Division leaders, Altrincham Res, with doubles from Danny McLaughlin and Tom Edge sealing a 4-0 result.
Also through are Helsby, who had Connor Lyndsay (3), Charlie Wiggins, and Ryan Burnell on the mark in a 5-2 decision over Lymm Rovers.
Runcorn Sports completed the quartet of successful West Cheshire clubs following a 4-2 triumph at Blacon YC Res.
Nathan Millar netted for West Kirby who went down 3-1 at Wilmslow Albion and despite efforts from Nathan Davidson, Jack Coll and Reece Kerr, Neston Nomads were beaten on spot kicks by Winsford Town.
Elsewhere, Newton, Groves Ath, Chester Nomads, Higher Bebington Kelma, Great Sutton, and Ellesmere Port Town all had to return their cup final suits, after they were eliminated by AFC Alsager, Congleton Town Res., Hattersley, Middlewich Town, Moreton FC, and Upton JFC respectively.
On the domestic scene, unbeaten Division One leaders, Mossley Hill Ath. posted a 4-0 win at reigning champions, Mersey Royal, courtesy of efforts from Connor Anderson, Paul Pearson, Dom Kelly, and Jake Skyner, and stayed a point in credit at the top.
Nearest rivals, Maghull, with goals from Adam Hammill, Marcus Stewart, and Darren Brannigan, eclipsed FC Bootle 3-2, Jacob Jones obliging with both goals for the hosts.
Ant Dunleavy and Jack McConville netted for Rainhill Town but it was seventh-placed visitors, Marshalls, who profited via 5-2 scoreline, thanks to replies from Ogundeji Adetunjti (2), Lewis Elwood, Jacob Till, and Callum Hodgkinson.
Basement outfit, Heswall, with Liam Grealis on target, picked up their first point of the season following a 1-1 draw with Litherland Remyca Res., who scored through Danny Curran.
South Liverpool Res, with goals from Alex Hammond, Craig Byrne, Matt Molyneux, and Adam Shelton eroded Mallaby‘s lead at the top of Division Two to a single point, after they won 4-0 at Marshalls Res.
Mamadou Djabi (3), Josh Panther, and Tega Okeregha shared the goals, as South Sefton Borough savoured a 5-1 victory over Huyton Rovers, who had Lee Owens in reply, while on target for Aintree Villa Res. in their 3-2 result over Mossley Hill U23s, were Dylan Lawless, Lewis King, and Jamie Watkinson. The visitors’ consolations were scored by Adil Mohammed and Joel Brooks.
Third-placed Hooton had Danny Cross (2) and Liam Smith on target but capitulated 4-3 to efforts from Maghull Res.‘ Louie O’Brien, Adam Wood, Harry McCormick, and Sam Burke.
In Division Three, FC Kirkby safeguarded their nine-point advantage at the top, when doubles from Brendan Rawcliffe and Charlie Bennett anchored the leaders to a 4-1 victory over Heswall Res. who hit back via Harvey O’Brien.
Second-placed Chester Nomads Res. stayed in contention following a 1-0 success at Frodsham Park, while fourth-placed Runcorn Sports Res., with efforts from Callum Ward, Luca Tron, and Stephen Butler, overcame Capenhurst Villa Res. 3-1. Gabriel Kwatenga was Cape’s marksman.
A Tom Welch strike was to no avail for Ellesmere Port Town U23s who lost 3-1 to replies from Rainhill Town Res.‘ Mike Johnson, Nathan Riley, and Kyle Ferguson, but it was a good day to savour for West Kirby Res., Eddie Williams, Luke Warrington, Kyle Bennett, and Danny Birks finding the net in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Helsby Res. Anthony Collings netted for the visitors.
AFC Knowsley assumed pole position in the Youth Division, when efforts from Rowan Cook (2), Sam Rocket, and an own goal clinched a 4-1 win over Vauxhall Motors, who had Cody Carter on the mark.
Fourth-placed Athletico Blues top scored, Baden Clarendon (2), George Murray (2), James Hunt, Mike Molyneux, Alex Callister, and Louie Donakey all making the scoresheet in an 8-3 victory at Runcorn Linnets.
Ethan Cains’s double was supplemented by a further goal from Leighton Kivi, as Mossley Hill Ath. accounted for Litherland Remyca 3-0, and Maghull B were also in free-scoring mood, efforts from Adam Howes (2), John Clarkson, George Deakin, Adam Ross, and an own goal cementing a 6-1 win over Neston Nomads who responded through Jude Francis.
On target for West Kirby Utd. in their 2-1 win against Maghull, were John Lyon and Dan Osujimi. The visitors’ scorer was Callum Grimes.
Inspired by five-goal Finlay Batterson, South Liverpool routed Runcorn Linnets 9-1 in Wednesday evening’s FA Youth Cup clash. Further efforts from Steve Swindells (2), Niall King, and Charlie Gammell completed the statistics with Joe Satchell on target for Linnets.
Why not follow birkenhead.news on Facebook, Twitter, and Threads? You can also send story ideas to news@birkenhead.news