Carlsberg West Cheshire League round-up with Ernie MacDonald

UNBEATEN leaders Cammell Laird Reserves dropped a surprise point on Saturday at bottom-of-the-table Ellesmere Port.

Brian McIlroy gave the visitors a perfect start, scoring inside 45 seconds. But soon after that, Ellesmere Port (formerly Shell) levelled matters when Dave Hall fired home a penalty. Debutant James Jaggard then put the home side ahead midway into the second-half before Timmy Bigland spared the leaders' blushes with an 80th minute equaliser.

Clearly, Ellesmere Port are determined to retain their Carlsberg West Cheshire League Division One status.

Gary Reay returned to haunt his previous club, West Kirby, by scoring two goals to set second placed Heswall up for a 4-2 victory - and reel in Laird's advantage to seven points.

Poulton Victoria bagged the spoils against General Chemicals (Ian Cocks and Chris Jewell), courtesy of a goal apiece from Carl Navis, Aaron Reay and Paul Finnan.

A ninth minute goal from Matty Houghton was just the start Mallaby needed against Ashville, but the relegation candidates were undeterred and came back to seal a priceless 3-1 win, with replies from Carl Lamb, 2, and Paul Rowlands.

Elsewhere, Aintree Villa eased their way to mid-table sanctuary after humbling reigning champions Newton 4-1, thanks to efforts from Ricky Humphries, 2, Chris Taylor and Paul Wainwright.

In Division Two, title-chasing Capenhurst Villa were indebted to goals from Chris Dodge, 2, and the prolific Chris Sharp for Saturday's 3-1 eclipse of MANWEB Reserves, but FC Pensby slipped down the pecking order, crashing 6-0 at Maghull Reserves (Dave Hughes, 2, Gary Williams, 2, Dave Thompson and Dave Craney).

That result enabled New Brighton to keep in touch with the leading two, following a 4-0 blitz of Christleton Reserves, Neil Atkinson and Craig Griffiths plundering two goals each.

Division Three action saw Mark Gray and Matty O'Shea hit the target as Mersey Royal overcame Upton AA Reserves 2-0, while Tony Taylor, 2, Lee Watts and Mark Evans were responsible for Ellesmere Port Reserves' goals in the 4-2 win over Blacon YC Res.

Goals from Ben Cole and Dave Trueman proved decisive as Shaftesbury secured their passage into the Wirral FA Amateur Cup third round after beating Grange Athletic 2-1.

Willaston, who have gone from strength to strength since losing in the opening round of the Cheshire FA Amateur Cup, also progressed after doubles from Lee Cairns and Tom Coan confirmed a 4-2 result over West Kirby Reserves (Paul Rule and Lee Talman).