Round Up 11 Feb2012

CARLSBERG WEST CHESHIRE A.F.L.
MATCH ROUND UP W/E 11.02.12

While most of the country’s football pitches had fallen victim to winter’s icy grip, almost half the Carlsberg West Cheshire fixtures were able to go ahead at the weekend. Indeed at Ellesmere Port, where visitors Newton ran out 2-0 winners, conditions in part were surprisingly soft. Both sides worked hard to create chances before the break but with keepers at each end in good form, the interval was reached with the score at 0-0. The breakthrough arrived within minutes of the restart when Dave Thompson converted a penalty for the visitors. Just before the hour mark Port’s hopes of getting back on level terms were boosted when Newton were reduced to 10 men. However their efforts to press home their numerical advantage left them exposed at the back and with 7 minutes remaining Steve King’s well timed run sprang the host’s offside trap as he rounded off his sides 2-0 success. Newton’s victory elevates them to 2nd spot just ahead on goal difference of champions West Kirby who extended Maghull’s miserable run of results courtesy of a 2-0 away win. Josh Hughes and central defender Andy Barker were the marksmen for Kirby who have recovered well from a shaky start to the season. At the turn of the year just 2 points separated Maghull from leaders Ashville but they now reside in 4th place some 9 points in arrears having played a game more. Cammell Laird Reserves did themselves no favours in the multi team scramble to climb away from the relegation places. Despite Laird goals from Paul McDonnell and Matty Houghton, visitors Vauxhall Motors Reserves claimed a 3rd successive victory by going one better thanks to efforts by Mark Winslade, Craig Cairns and Steve Finlay, a result that leaves Lairds in the bottom two. The lively Kevin Frankland was the Southport Trinity hero as he netted the game’s only goal against a Willaston outfit suffering their 12th defeat of the campaign. It finished all square at Marine Reserves whose goal from Ross McDowell was cancelled out by Mossley Hill’s Bryan Little.
Only 2 games survived in Division 2 where 2nd placed Hale were involved in a high scoring affair at West Kirby Reserves. Danny Murphy, Paul Hart, Brad Williams, Phil McCann and Vassili Poya obliged for Hale in their 5-3 triumph as Ricci Neill, Chris Bowe and Dave Bowe responded for Kirby. Tom Carroll, James Quinn and Patrick O’Sullivan struck for New Brighton who kept their promotion hopes alive by overcoming Ashville Reserves [Chris Black] 3-1.
Helsby’s bid to return to Division 2 were enhanced when running out comprehensive 7-2 winners at New Brighton Reserves. Wes Huizer again led the way with a 4 goal haul which was supplemented by Ian Cox, Paul Abram and Andy Dunning. Mike Holland was a 2 goal man for Merseyside Police who also had Matthew Tonge and John Christianson on target in their 4-0 verdict over Manor Athletic Reserves.
Congratulations go to Hale and Lower Breck Boys for reaching the final of the Liverpool FA Youth cup. Josh Doran and Andy Cashmore were the goalscoring heroes for Hale as they edged out fellow league side Pex Hill, 2-1. Lower Breck’s semi final passage was more unconventional when opponents, Warners, were removed from the competition following irregularities in the previous round. In the Youth Division, the points were shared when Widnes Town [Will Myers] drew 1-1 with Finn Harps [Thomas Johnson].
Jack Delgardo and Kieran Smith steered Chester Nomads into the semi finals of the Chester Senior Cup at the expense of Christleton on the strength of a 2-0 win and an Aiden Shannon hat trick and an Adam Langton double featured as Blacon YC also reached the last 4 after their 8-2 demolition of Crossways.
In a rearranged Division 1 fixture on Wednesday [Feb 15th] Ashville will be looking to stretch their lead at the top when they play host to Heswall [7.30 p.m.].