Round Up 19 March 2011

WEST CHESHIRE LEAGUE REPORT: WEEK-ENDING SATURDAY 19 MARCH 2011

Another good midweek for West Cheshire sides saw Runcorn Linnets Reserves sweep aside Halfway Celtic by four goals to one in their Runcorn Senior semi-final tie. Two from Peter Murphy alongside goals by Jo Elson and Jack Webb claimed a place in the final.

Normal service was resumed at Marine Park as West Kirby got back on the winning trail with a 2-0 win over Cammell Laird Reserves. Whilst the Deesiders will be glad of the three points due to goals from Adam Lea and Paul Casey, the thoughts of all concerned are with West Kirby winger, Paul Hughes who suffered a broken leg during the game. West Kirby remain seven points behind leaders Maghull and it would seem that they will need to win all three games in hand to secure another championship winning season.

Maghull were happy to edge to a 1-2 win at Upton AA thanks to Sam Wilkie and Tom Foley. Simon Andrews replied for Upton.

Helsby also returned to winning ways securing the three points at Willaston. Willaston’s Oliver Stearman’s goal turned out to be a consolation as Willis Buckley and Mike Whitehead hit the back of the net for Helsby.

Newton secured a fine win at home to Vauxhall Motors Reserves by two goals to nil, Lee Furlong and Kevin Wright the scorers.

Southport Trinity’s debut season in the First Division continues to be an impressive one thanks to a 3-1 home win over Chester side, Christleton. Ian Morrison, Paul Johnson and Carl Ennis did the damage for Trinity with Christleton’s Sean Johnston claiming the sole reply.

With just nine games of their season remaining, Blacon YC have yet to break their duck and secure a season’s first win. This time they went down 1-3 to Ellesmere Port. Damien Rowley was Blacon’s scorer, with Ben Smith, Mike Jones and Dan Hill replying for Port.

With Chester Nomads (Keiron Smith, 2) only securing a 2-2 draw at home to Capenhurst Villa (Iain Forster, Cameron Forster), Ashville tightened their grip on the Division Two top spot winning at home 4-2 to Prescot Cables. Ashville raced to a 2-0 lead thanks to Dave Rudge and Ross Rule before Prescot’s Sam Gifford cut the deficit to one goal. However, Ashville were not to be denied thanks to a further strike from Craig Griffiths and an own goal. At the death Sam Gifford claim a second, consolation goal from the spot.

Mossley Hill Athletic stepped up the pressure on Nomads winning 1-2 at Heswall Reserves. Ryan Powell and Barry Coventry were the Athletic heroes.

It was cup day for some Third Division sides with the semi-finals of the Complete Focus Shield taking place. New Brighton Reserves found themselves up against it when Runcorn Linnets Reserves visited their Harrison Park ground. Runcorn ran out convincing 1-5 winners through Josh Smith (3), Ray McDonald and Dave Jolley. New Brighton’s Mike McGrath grabbed a goal at the death but it was too late. Runcorn will meet Manor Athletic in the final on 3 May 2011 at Vauxhall Motors ground. Manor ran out 0-4 winners at Hale Reserves thanks to Lloyd Ithell, Chris Tolley and Adam Johnson. The good news for Hale is that manager, Alan Stewart, is recovering from a sudden illness.