Ashville Reserves edge a step nearer top flight football next season,

In the race for promotion from the MSC Express West Cheshire League's Division Two, a 2-0 victory at Runcorn Sports, confirmed by goals from Fenton Cavanagh and Charlie McGuiness, saw Wirral DFA Amateur Cup and Haworth & Gallagher Bowl finalists, Ashville Res. edge a step nearer top flight football next season, WRITES ERNIE MCDONALD.

Second placed Sutton Ath. had Lee Ludgate and Nicky Monaghan on target, but capitulated 3-2 at home to replies from Helsby's Owen Kucharski (2) and Courtney Bushell and with just four games remaining, Sutton's points advantage is now dwindling, as rivals Helsby and Ashville Res. continue to eat up ground.

A smart double from Isaac Jones inspired Maghull Res. to 2-1 result at Bootle Res. who had Cam Grant in reply, while honours were shared, after a goal from South Sefton Borough's Nial McEnery was negated by an effort from Poulton Royal's Ryan Slater. Marshalls Res. finished strongly at Mallaby and had Alex Schultz (2) and Josh Lavender on target but it was the hosts who held out for a 4-3 win, courtesy of efforts from Joe Foster (2) Paul Ellison and Ben O'Neill.
Elsewhere, goals from Andy Dickson and Sam Halpin failed to prevent Cheshire Lines from going down 4-2 at Mossley Hill Ath. Res.

In midweek an Adam Smith hat trick anchored Division One leaders, Mersey Royal, to a 3-0 decision over Marshalls and at the weekend, the Royal extended their lead at the top to ten points, after Smith netted again, and was joined on the scoresheet by Kieran Cartwright (2) Andy Rogers and Liam Driscoll in a 5-0 rout of Litherland Remyca Res.

Despite a double from Chris Sheehan, Rainhill Town finished second best at Aintree Villa who posted a 3-2 result thanks to replies from Jamie Alty, Alex McNab and Mark Barnes.
Capenhurst Villa, with goals from Ellis Williams (2) and Steve Rowlands recorded their sixth win of the campaign, and edged nearer to mid-table sanctuary, after beating local rivals, Heswall 3-0.

Newton's title bid faltered after they lost 2-0 to goals from Vauxhall Motors Res.' Jamie Eaton and Matty Morris and that result enabled third placed Mossley Hill Ath. to take closer order, Connor Anderson's solitary strike securing all three points from Friday evening's clash at Marine U23's.

Saturday's Division Three action saw Aintree Villa Res. re-take pole position after a Dillon Lawless treble set up a 3-2 victory at West Kirby Res. who consoled themselves with a double from Ben Keane, while nearest rivals, Hooton, emerged with a point following a 3-3 stalemate with Neston Nomads. Dec Robert (2) and Cam Meadows were on the mark for the hosts with Owen Kelsey, Joel Whalley and Paul Byrne scoring for Hooton.
Efforts from Zac Rimmer (2) and Louis Downey were enough, as Rainhill Town Res. eclipsed Ellesmere Port Town Res. 3-0, while Harrison Cooper and Jack Sailes applied the finishing touches, as Groves savoured a 2-1 win against Capenhurst Villa Res. McKenzie James was Cape's marksman.
Leading 1-0 at half time, Chester Nomads Res. were denied a victory over Poulton Vics Res., after a deteriorating pitch led to the match being abandoned.
The points were shared after efforts from Heswall Res., Harvey Forester and Dan Cooper were cancelled out by replies from Runcorn Sports Res., Luca Tron and Liam Morrison.

Third placed BRNESC registered a 3-0 victory at Maghull in the Youth Division, while Jack Colburn netted for South Liverpool in their 1-1 nail biter with Ormskirk West End whose marksman was Zach Carberry.
Despite a goal from Rory Aldiss, Victoria Colts were denied a place in this seasons’ Youth Plate final, after league leaders, Mossley Hill Ath., with goals from Asher Duncan(2) and Cal Jones pulled off a 3-1 victory.
Also through are Lee Gibson's young charges, Poulton Vics, who overcame City of Liverpool 5-3 thanks to strikes from Jack Bentley(2) Kian Hamm, Liam Grealis, and Jamie Dawson.
Adam Lyons(2) and Sam Craig found the net for the losers.

Bickerstaffe moved into the semis of the LCFA Junior Cup beat a very good South Liverpool 3rd on Pens. In a proper close cup tie South Liverpool took the lead on the hour only for Bickerstaffe to pull one back with 5 mins left. FT 1-1 Winning the shoot-out 4-2