Maghull Increase lead at the top

With South Liverpool not in league action on Saturday, Maghull had the chance to force a lead at the top of the Division One table. They did, just, winning one-nil at struggling Mallaby, thanks to Paul Jackson’s only goal of the game. Ashville kept up the pressure and tightened their hold on third place with a convincing four-two home win over Upton AA who are hovering ever closer to the bottom two places. Despite goals for the Chester visitors from Darren Wallace and Melia, Ashville collected all three points as Josh Amis (2), Jamie Quinn and Kevin Fitzsimmons all hit the net. Cammell Laird came from behind to leap-frog over Blacon YC into fourth place as they beat the Chester side, on their own patch, by two goals to one. Danny Dixon and Josh Hughes did the damage for the visitors and they also missed a late penalty, with Blacon’s Jamie Rogers scoring from the spot early in the first half. Hard on Laird’s heels, separated only by goal difference are Mossley Hill Athletic who registered an impressive 4-1 away win at Gayton Park, the home of reigning champions, Heswall. A Yusuf Malik hat-trick made sure the points went to the visitors with David Kelly adding a fourth. Heswall’s Andy Brown replied. West Kirby’s season continues to disappoint this time going down at Vauxhall Motors Reserves, 2-1. Luke Camden and Jordan Brierley scored for the home side with The Deesiders consolation coming from Tom Murray. Hale (Wayne Smith (2), Mike Mattie) will be hoping that they have got their season back on track winning three-one at home over visitors, Chester Nomads (Jack Delgado). The game between Christleton and Newton was postponed owing to a waterlogged pitch.

A full programme took place in Division Two with all sixteen teams in action. Helsby continued their reign in the number one spot with a solid two-nil win over Ashville Reserves at the Community Ground. Paul Abram and Carl Rendell scored without reply. Hot on Helsby’s heels just three point behind and with a game in hand, Manor Athletic kept up the pressure at the top with a three-one win at luckless Willaston. Andy Johnston, Tom Carroll and Chris Tolley did the damage for Athletic. It was also a good day for AFC Bebington Athletic who won 3-2 at home to Redgate Rovers. A brace from Steve Forbes and a third from Stephen Duckers, outdid goals from Rover’s Craig Blackwell and Ben Helme. Richmond Raith Rovers Mags powered past West Kirby Reserves at Marine Park, finally running out five-one winners. Mags Dan Powell netted a hat trick with Domonic Gilchrist and Paul Gouthwaite making sure that the Mags went nap. The host’s sole reply came from Danny Kennedy. Maghull Reserves slipped up at home to Gateacre Village, in the end losing by the odd goal in seven. Maghull scored through Mike Cummins, James Hooper and Farshad Parvas, but to no avail. The points belonged to Gateacre thanks to Jonathan Deus, Scott Willis, Kurtis Griffiths and Ian Lewis. Mersey Royal’s turmoil continued, this time losing four-nil at home to Prescot Cables Reserves. Royal were unable to find a reply to goals from Cables Jonathan Sproson (2), Francis Foy and Ryan Crook. Capenhurst Villa moved above visitors Marshalls with a two-one win over their visitors. Mike Banks, and Phil Strapp cancelled out Dan Grace’s effort for Marshalls. Whilst the season may not yet be going to plan for either of Heswall’s senior sides, they must at least be thankful for the continued form of the goal scorers. With Richie Foulkes doing the business in the first team, the second string have Owen Davies who scored again, despite the side losing three-one at Mossley Hill Athletic Reserves (Jamie Bradley (2), Ryan Powell).

All third division sides were involved with the first round of the West Cheshire Shield competition. Pride of place went to Ford Motors who scored seven at Marshalls Reserves. Terry Keenan collected four goals with Ally McCracken, Liam Sumner and Sam Range adding to the rout. Marshalls had to do with a consolation goal from Danny Connor. There were nine goals in the game between Bootle Reserves and Christleton Reserves with Bootle just edging the contest. Bootle went nap thanks to a Jack McCabe hat trick and further goals from John Cheetham and Adam Wishart. Christleton will be cursing their luck having scored four (Liam Brennan, Lewis Donavan, James Davies and Joe Gillespie) yet still having their interest in the Shield ended. South Liverpool Reserves had little trouble at Neston Nomads ending up four-nil victors. Sherif Yusuf, Adam Brittles, Curtis Cummins and Francis Evans ensured progression into the second round. Merseyside Police registered a welcome one-three win at Widnes Vikings Reserves thanks to Dave Heaton (2) and David Challenger. Rainhill Town also notched up a one-three win, in their case at Belfry. Despite Belfry’s a Jamie Ranford goal, Rainhill won thanks to goals from Matt Farrell, Danny Leather and an own goal. A John Humphreys brace for Kirby Town Railway outdid a single goal from St Helens Town Kyle Ross. Hale Reserves won 1-2 at Upton AA Reserves thanks to a brace from John Humphreys. Upton’s Mike Murray replied. Capenhurst Villa Reserves (Graeme Hughes) edged past hosts, Chester Nomads Reserves by one goal to nil.

The second round draw for the Shield is as follows: Bootle Reserves v Kirkby Town Railway, Chester Nomads Reserves or Capenhurst Villa Reserves v Rainhill Town, Ford Motors v South Liverpool Reserves, Merseyside Police v Hale Reserves. The ties are scheduled to take place on 7 December 2013.

There is just one hundred per cent record left in the Youth Division. That belongs to Bootle who won by the odd goal in five at West Kirby. Coming from behind Craig Callaghan, Adam Campbell and Anthony Ludgate scored to keep Bootle’s unbeaten league record, Callum Smith and a late Daniel McLoughlin goal registered for West Kirby. The shock of the day was Maghull’s nil-two win at previously unbeaten Vauxhall Motors. Motors found no answer to goals from the visitors Jake Parton and Darryl Morgan. In yet another nine goal thriller on the day, Mallaby (Steve Barker (2), Sam Smith (2) and Connor Cavanagh) won 4-5 at South Liverpool (Dave Mee (2) and George Doyle (2).