Football: West Cheshire League

Written by Ernie McDonald

Ashville progressed to a Pyke Cup final showdown with holders, Mossley Hill Athletic after they beat rival title rivals, Bootle St.Edmunds.

Efforts from Dan Hardman and Tommy Johnstone sealed Saturday's 2-0 victory for the Wallasey outfit.

Finalists for the West Cheshire Shield were resolved  after Aintree Villa Res., with goals from Jack Terry (2) and Dylan Lawless, overcame Runcorn Sports Res., 3-1,  and strongly fancied South Wirral side, Sutton Ath with two goal Connor Doyle on the mark, went through after they eclipsed Heswall Res., 2-1. Jamie Steele bagged Heswall's consolation.

Division One title contenders, Mersey Royal, returned to Division One action and bolstered their claims with doubles from Adam Smith and Andy Rogers heping the Birkenhead Northenders to a 5-0 result at Prescot Cable Reserves and that win, with a game in hand, saw the Royal erode Ashville's lead at the top to two points.

A Ben Summers brace failed to prevent basement side, Ellesmere Port Town from suffering a 7-2 defeat at Marshalls while Nathan Johnson obliged with the game's only goal as Heswall took maximum spoils from their trip to Capenhurst Villa. A midweek drubbing  failed to deter Vauxhall Motors Res., who bounced  back with a 3-2 win against Newton, courtesy of  goals from Angel Salinas, Ray Mackay and Chris Lea.  Jackson Ellis and Paul Foy netted the visitors consolations.

Division Two leaders, Marine U23's stayed ten point in credit at the top when George Maddock, Liam Paton and Tom Beckett applied the finishing touches in a 3-1 victory over Marshalls Res. who had Will Goodison on the mark .

At the Wirral Tennis Centre, Mallaby edged a 3-2 decision over Runcorn Sports and made it three wins on the trot, coupled with their elevation to fourth place in the table, thanks to efforts from Tom Black, Jack Ledsham and Mike McLean. Stephen Jackson claimed both goals for the visitors.

Luke Warrington bagged both for Poulton Vics but it was Rainford Utd who profited with John Carter(2) and Mike Bailey replying to record a 3-2 win.

The points were divided after a penalty from West Kirby's Sam Hayley was negated by a reply from South Liverpool Res.' Rory Cunningham while Ashville Res registered their second win in four days. Alfie Dwyer(2) Tyler Sutton and Jack Fradgley found the net in a 4-2 triumph over South Sefton Borough.

In Division Three, Chester Nomads Reserves scored through Jamie Edge and Danny Clewley but visitors Groves were grateful for a point, thanks to two own goals conceded by the hosts. Second placed Poulton Royal had Ben Hawitt on target, but suffered a massive blow to their promotion hopes after replies from Jordan Flynn, Alex Yates, Sam Valentine and Lewis Marley saw South Liverpool 3rds emerge 4-1 victors. That result left leaders Sutton Athletic needing just four points from their remaining seven fixtures to make sure of the title.

Mike Martin's solitary effort was enough for Runcorn Linnets to get the better of Poulton Vics and secure their third win of the season in the day's only Youth Division tussle.

Division Two promotion chasers, Helsby, were engaged in a one sided Runcorn District FA Cup semi final, and with five goal Lee Turkington on top of his game, blitzed Grappenhall Sports 11-0. Further efforts from Tom Waring, Sam Bailey, Sonny Dean, Tom Hughes, Charlie Wiggins and Reece Dwyer completed the statistics.

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