Round Up 12 November 2011

WEST CHESHIRE AFL REPORT 12 NOVEMBER 2011
As the nation’s lower league and non-league clubs prepared for FA Cup excitement at the weekend, cup fever was also evident in the West Cheshire League. The first round of the Pyke Cup got underway with Cammell Laird Reserves playing Blacon Youth Club as they went through on penalties, 5-3, at Cairns Crescent. The teams finished all square at the end of extra-time thanks to goals from Laird’s Kris Hesketh and Blacon’s player-manager, Aden Shannon.
Ashville’s light continues to shine as they edged a tough encounter 1-2 at Christleton. Dave Rudge and Steve Connor scored for the visitors with Steve Finlay getting Christleton’s sole reply. On paper at least, Maghull entertaining Southport Trinity is something of a cup derby match. Unfortunately for Trinity they lost 0-2 thanks to goals from Lee Tynan and Brad Smart.
Mossley Hill Athletic’s Jay Halligan had a day of mixed fortunes. He can be justifiable proud of claiming a hat-trick against Ellesmere Port but will have been hugely disappointed that his side still lost the tie 3-4. A brace apiece from Danny McNicholson and Ryan Nicholl did the damage. Newton had high hopes of another good run on the Pyke Cup but will have to wait for another year, losing at home to Marine Reserves 1-3. Jamie Hannah’s goal for the home side was bettered by scores from Karl Bergquist (2) and Peter Donnelly.
Upton Athletic Association will bemoan their fortune going down at home to Marshalls by two goals to three. A brace from Tom Reid was scarcely consolation to goals from Marshalls Olli Roberts, Jay Nilsen and Joe Connolly. Vauxhall Motors Reserves scored all three goals in their 2-1 home defeat of Heswall. Mark Windslade scored both goals that counted for the Motormen. Chester Nomads edged a close fought encounter at Willaston, Kieron Smith scoring the only goal of the game.
In Division Two, newly crowned manager of the month continued to avoid the ‘curse’ of such an award by leading his AFC Bebington Athletic side to an impressive 0-1 win at Ashville Reserves. In doing so Athletic have now opened up a six point lead at the top of the table with Ashville in second place. Joel Taylor was the hero for the day. New Brighton kept the pressure up at the top beating Runcorn Linnets Reserves 2-1 at their Harrison Drive home. Two goals from Mike McGrath outdid the visitors’ sole reply from Ray McDonald.
Hale hit a major bump in their progress up the league table in falling to a 4-3 defeat at lowly placed Richmond Raith Rovers. A truly splendid haul for four goals made Rovers Robert Madine the home side’s hero. Hale will have enjoyed scant consolation from goals by Haydn Carlson, Paul Hart and an own goal from Rovers. Prescot Cables Reserves are beginning to show their heads above the parapets moving into 6th place in the table thanks to an emphatic 0-3 win at strugglers, Heswall Reserves. Other Division Two scores: Mallaby (Steve Wilson) 1 Maghull Reserves (Les Healey, 3, OG) 4; Marshalls Reserves (James Doyle, Jack Walton) 2 Bronze Social (Owen Davies,3, Steve Egan, Dave Woods) 5; West Kirby Reserves (Adam Lee, Tom Hartley) 2 Capenhurst Villa (Alan Locke, Lewis Walters) 2.