Carlsberg West Cheshire League round-up with Ernie MacDonald

TWO goals from Craig Griffiths were supplemented by further strikes by Neil Ashurst and Neil Atkinson as Division Two promotion chasers New Brighton secured their place in the West Cheshire Bowl semi-finals at the expense of Maghull Reserves.

The Seasiders have never won the Bowl before and Saturday's tie went to the wire. The visitors made a game of it and responded through Gary Williams, 2, and John Crowley before capitulating 4-3 in extra-time.

Strongly fancied Mond Rangers eclipsed Poulton Victoria Reserves 3-2, confirmed by goals from Dean Wooley, Mike Smith and Liam Williams, while Upton AA also made the last four, after winning by the same margin at FC Building Boards, Simon Andrews, 2, and Steve Rowlands hitting the target.

With current Division One leaders Cammell Laird Reserves going down 2-0 at home to MANWEB in mid-week, second placed Heswall seized their chance to move within a point of the top, after blitzing Ashville 5-0, courtesy of strikes from Keiran Fleetwood, 2, Colin O'Hanlon, Gary Reay and an own goal.

Reigning champions Newton, though, were outsmarted by a well drilled Mallaby, the visitors emerging 4-1 victors, thanks to goals from Shaun Keevey, 3, and Matty Houghton.

Dave Cringle was a two-goal hero for Poulton Victoria, who beat Ellesmere Port 3-0, and West Kirby's livewire forward, Darren McGuiness, hit top form with a hat-trick to help his side to a 4-2 triumph over General Chemicals.

In Division Two, efforts from Blacon YC's Ben Collins and Peter Gandy, were nullified by replies from Manor Athletic's Mike Mackin and Dave Davies. John McKeown, 2, Steve McCann and Darren Murphy found the net as Ashville Reserves celebrated a 4-2 result over Heswall Reserves to steer clear of the relegation mire.

Only two points separate the top six clubs in the Division Three title race and, despite scoring through Mike McGree, leaders West Kirby Reserves slipped up again by losing 2-1 to Ellesmere Port Reserves. Steve Hickson and Mark Lancashire made the scoresheet for the winners.

It was a bad day, too, for rivals Mond Rangers Reserves, who were undone at Shaftesbury, the home side scoring through Matty Moores, 3, Paul Sinnott and Scott Houghton to post a 6-3 result. Lee Corkhill's blistering treble anchored New Brighton Reserves to a 3-0 victory at Merseyside Police Reserves - and into second place in the table.