Houlihan's Birkenhead Sunday League round-up

PAUL Stephenson with a brace and Mick Taylor and Jamie Gladwin with singles were the marksmen for Archer's as they defeated the previously unbeaten Runcorn side Bridge Timber 4-1.

Before the game, a minute's silence was held for Dave Leighton who died recently. Dave was an Archer Social stalwart for many years and the league sends its deepest sympathy to his family and friends.

Heygarth Utd dominated their tie against Adswood United for most of the game, but won by the narrowest of margins, 1-0, thanks to Lee Williams. At Queen's Park Tony Lucas and Robbie Courtney with singles failed to overcome Brow FC and have it all to gain next week after a 2-2 draw with AET.

AFC Bromborough's poor defence was to blame for their 3-2 defeat at Queen's/Nelson FC; Graham Ellison and Phil Campbell getting one apeice for Bromborough.

Royal Sun Alliance had to battle all the way against St John's - Peter Fardy with a brace and Jan Bonner scoring the all-important goals to take Royal Sun into the next round.

Kev Upton scored for Stirrup Sports & Social but the side still lost 2-1 to the Strong Mid-Cheshire side Thatched Tavern; it was a very close game all through despite Stirrup being reduced to nine men for the last 20 minutes.

FC Prenton lost their home tie to Halton Arms' Sports from Runcorn, crashing out 5-2 after extra time..

In the Premier Division despite scoring three goals against league leaders Dock, Warwick FC, with one from Tony Waters, one from Craig Nall and one from Lee Smith, could not find that bit extra needed to over-come Dock's Marksmen Mike McGraa with a brace and Gary Reay with a single and goalkeeper Paul Roberts' mighty clearance that deflected into the net for the winner.

Paul Anglesey put in two in the only other game in the Premier division as Shaftesbury 1886 shared the spoils with Shaftesbury 02 after a goal from Tom Woods and an own goal led to the 2-2 draw.

Division one action saw the all-Bromborough Derby match produce a nine-goal thriller between bottom clubs Hornby Trafalgar and Heygarth United, Darren Brown (1), Carl Boyd (1) and John Jackson (1) scoring for Heygarth. But Hornby's six goals sealed the win that sees both clubs at the bottom with four points apiece. Woodchurch put ahead by Paul Casey slipped up in the promotion race after a 1-1 draw with the outside title contenders Nova FC.

Division two leaders Woodside Hotel's prolific goalscorer Liam Atherton scored a superb hat-trick in his solo 3-2 win over Young Lions

In Division three, Twelfth Man Celtic's 100 per cent record remains intact after an emphatic 4-0 away win at BMS. Corsair gained three vital points in the relegation battle with a 3-2 win over Woodhey.

In Division four, a top of the table clash between league-leader Neston Nomads and Penny Lane resulted in a 5-1 win for Neston; Lee Cairns (1), Garry Jones (1), Ken Williams (1), Ritchy Foukes (1) and Dan Griffiths (1) all on the score sheet for Neston.

Saddle Club moved into the promotion chase after an excellent 4-3 win over the Pacific; Tom Hodson (2), Carl Ygardua (1) and Dan Smith hitting the net. Three Lions remain in bottom place, despite Paul Starkey grabbing a hat-trick, they lost 4-3 to St Mary's Cricket Club.

In the youth division, Ian Tempest (1), John Gillen (1) and Andy Ward still led the table after a 3-0 victory over Castrol Youth. Vauxhall Youth drew 3-3 with Shaftesbury Youth. Christleton Youth run riot against New Brighton Youth with a 6-2 victory.