Football: West Cheshire League

Written by Ernie McDonald

Mersey Royal's dream of lifting the MSC Express West Cheshire League's Division One title for the first time moved a step closer to fruition.  

Kieran Cartwright's second goal of the game on 90 minutes secured a crucial 3-2 victory over Aintree Villa and saw the Royal wrestle control from Ashville at the top of the table.

Despite efforts from Josh Maldon and Tommy Johnstone, Ashville lost ground after they finished 2-2 with Mossley Hill Ath. while Bootle St. Edmunds cranked up their challenge, when Stewy Jackson, Mark Madden and John Howard shared the goals in a 3-1 victory over Newton.

A Louis Moss effort and a own goal failed to prevent Chester Nomads from capitulating 3-2 to replies from Maghull's Connor Rankin, Robbie McDonald and Charlie Taylor.

Danny Dixon's double, allied to a goal from Nathan Jonston saw Heswall record their eighth win of the season after they won 3-0 at Ellesmere Port Town while   Capenhurst Villa's title hopes went into reverse, after they lost 3-1 to Rainhill Town who confirmed  result with goals from Peter Smith, Eddie Hawthorne and Louis Clements.

Elsewhere, Dan Lewis netted for Marshalls but it was visitors, Vauxhall Motors Res., who profited by a 4-1 scoreline with goals from Kieran Fair (2) Connor Courtnell and Zarek Urrutia.

Division Two leaders, Marine U23's fell behind to a 58th minute individual effort from Mallaby's Danny McLoughlin, but made better use of the blustery conditions in the later stages, and emerged 3-1 victors, courtesy of a goal apiece from Darren Brannigan, Liam Paton and Joey Levey.

Third placed Helsby, with efforts from Sam Bailey(2) Lee Turkington and Jordan Cunningham stayed in contention, after beating Poulton Vics 4-0 but local rivals, Runcorn Sports, scored through Ryan Burnell and Dom Bazely and lost ground, after they suffered a 3-2 defeat at Ashville Res. Jamie Woods, Charlie Bennett and Jay Clare obliged for the Wallasey outfit.

Division Three's match of the day brought  together unbeaten leaders, Sutton Ath, and nearest rivals, Poulton Royal and on the day, the honours went to Sutton who won 2-1 thanks to goals from Joe Whittle and Connor Doyle and that result saw the South Wirral side race fourteen points clear at the top. Ryan Slater netted the hosts' consolation.

Third placed Bootle Res. failed to capitalise after they fell prey to a smart double from Neston Nomads' Cam Meadows.

A solitary strike from Matty Watson was enough for Capenhiurst Villa Res. to deny Aintree Villa Res. and it was celebration time for Poulton Vics Res., Jacob McLaughlin(2) Tommy Breslin, Jay Thomas and Liam Whelan applying the finishing touches in Staurday's 5-1 eclipse of West Kirby Res. whose reply came from Peter Brown.

In the Youth Division, it was a profitable run out for Vauxhall Motors who opened up a nine point lead at the top when  Harley Williams, Cal Hill and Jamie Gann hit the target in a 3-0 victory over BRNESC.

A Harry McLeod hat trick was supplemented by further efforts from Leo Reynolds and Jack Boden as Mossley Hill Ath. clinched a 5-1 triumph over Poulton Vics. Thomas Davies scored for the visitors.

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