Mersey Royal, safeguarded their two point advantage at the top of 1 Division.

Following the arrival of the new year, three clubs have emerged as principal contenders in the race for the MSC Express West Cheshire League's Division One crown, and third placed Newton promptly threw down the gauntlet, after a Jackson Ellis hat trick was supplemented by further efforts from James Burns(2) and Adam Campbell in Friday evening's, 6-1 rout of relegation threatened Heswall, who hit back through Ethan Mort, WRITES ERNIE MCDONALD.

Leaders and reigning champions, Mersey Royal, safeguarded their two point advantage at the top after a solitary strike from Tyler Oates won the day against Ellesmere Port Town while second placed Bootle St.Edmund’s were indebted to a Brad Shearwood double which secured a 2-1 result over Marine U23's, who had Jonathan Bravo in reply.
Honours were shared after an effort from Rainhill Town's Lee Tracey was negated by a response from Vauxhall Motors Res.' Zak Catesby.

In Division Two, despite a goal from Liam Brennan, second placed Sutton Ath. missed out on the chance to assume pole position, when replies from South Liverpool Res.' Matty Kiwanuka and Adam Shelton assured the visitors of maximum spoils. Skipper Wade Sword scored Mallaby's consolation in a 3-1 defeat at Marshalls Res. who had Jacob Till, Andrew Starkey and Brendon Ndlovu on the mark, while Poulton Royal celebrated a 5-1 victory over Mossley Hill Ath. Res. thanks to goals from Tommy Carroll(2) Ben Hawitt, Dan Lamara and Alex White. Mossley's scorer was Mike Fearneyhough.
A goal from Tom Lawrence failed to prevent South Sefton Borough from capitulating to a smart double from Helsby's Lee Guirado, while West Kirby earned a point, following a 1-1 stalemate with Cheshire Lines. Dave Hird and Connor Smith were the respective marksmen.

Second placed challengers, Runcorn Sports Res. enhanced their outside Division Three title claims and moved to within three points of the leaders, after efforts from Steve Butler(2) and Kyle Short anchored their side to a 3-1 decision over Rainhill Town Res. Mike Johnson netted for the visitors while a double from Sam Stephens inspired Helsby Res. to a 2-0 win at Heswall Res.
Higher Bebington Kelma, with goals from Kai Herbert(2) Jack Bolderston, Luke Walker and Tom Byrne stayed handily poised in fourth place with games in hand, after they eclipsed West Kirby Res. 5-1, Jack Calveley obliging for Kirby.

In a high scoring encounter, efforts from Ellesmere Port Town Res.' John Skipsey (2) Mo Hafsi and Jack Smith failed to suffice, after replies from Kyle Bennett(2) Mick McStein, Omar Hoyle and Tom Dewis steered Poulton Vics Res. to a 5-4 triumph.

Only one fixture took place in the Youth Division, and it was a profitable run out for fourth placed BRNESC who had Patrick Irving(2) Shea Housley and Ben Harper on target, in a narrow 4-3 win against City Of Liverpool who answered through Billy Kelly, Will Harrison and Alan Lyons.

Saturday's cup action encompassed several competitions and in a Pyke Cup first round clash, the honours went to Capenhurst Villa who scored through Jamie Easton, Mike Williams and Dom Hoppe to clinch a 3-2 verdict over Aintree Villa. James Mundy and Mark Barnes scored for the Racecourse outfit.
The local Wallasey derby in the Haworth & Gallagher Bowl first round clash between Poulton Vics and Ashville Res. saw Ashville progress, after they won 5-2 highlighted by a Danny Whitehead hat trick. Ben Leeman and Lewis Clarke also made the scoresheet with Jason Bull and Sam Turner accredited with Vics' replies.
Chester Nomads suffered a shock 6-0 defeat at the hands of Upton Juniors FC in the Chester & District Challenge Cup, and in the Liverpool FA Challenge Cup 3rd round it was a disappointing return from the WCL contingent, after three of the four representatives were eliminated.
In form Bootle Res., secured their passage, after doubles from Cam Grant and Baf Djabi helped their side to a fine 4-1 result at Garswood Utd.
Mossley Hill Ath. finished 2-2, with Eagle Sports before going out 4-2 on penalties and the same fate befell Litherland Remyca Res. who went down at The Naylo after brothers Elliot and Cam Taylor had scored a 2-2 finish.
Maghull scored through Connor Rankin, Shaun Sandison, James Allen and Charlie Taylor in a 4-4 stalemate with Sefton Ath. before losing out 6-5 on spot kicks.
In the Runcorn & District Saturday Cup, Division Two side, Runcorn Sports were afforded a walk over against Grappenhall Sports.