SATURDAY welcomed the first round of the Cheshire County FA Amateur Cup, with ten Go2Day West Cheshire League sides clearing the first hurdle.
Two goal James Anderson left his calling card, and was joined on the scoresheet by Charlie Wiggins and Joe Davis, as Helsby eclipsed AFC Stockport 4-2 while West Kirby, thanks to an effort from Aaron Baird and an own goal, overcame Upton JFC 2-1.
Joel Whalley netted for Hooton, but finished on the losing side, after Newton posted a 4-1 scoreline in an all-West Cheshire tie, and in another all-WCL clash, Heswall emerged 1-0 victors from their trip to neighbours, Neston Nomads.
Following a 0-0 stalemate, Vauxhall Motors Res. were eliminated 4-3 on penalties at Cheshire Leaguers, Poynton.
In contrast, Chester Nomads went through 4-3 on penalties, after their tussle with Mersey Valley finished 3-3, while Capenhurst Villa's marksmen in their 4-1 decision over Higher Bebington Kelma, were Harrison Cooper, Brevan McCurdy, Charlie Bell and Ellis William. The visitors had Tom Jenkins on target.
Division Three survivors, Sutton Rangers, were indebted to a Danny Lewis effort which sealed the fate of Hartford FC. First half strikes from Ellis Byrne and Billy Rainbow were enough, as Division Two promotion contenders, Mallaby, accounted for Division One counterparts, Runcorn Sports 2-0, and it was celebration time for Cammell Laird 1907 Res., who had Josh Hulmestone (2) Kieran Hughes and Adam Larway on the mark in a 4-1 success at Crewe FC.
On the minus side, despite goals from Joe Humphries, Corey Beavan and Max Percival, .it was a first round exit for Willaston, who went down 5-3 at Ashton Mersey.
Ellesmere Port Town pulled off an excellent 2-1 win at AFC Alsager, courtesy of a goal apiece from Seb Bogle and Harvey Foster.
On the domestic scene, a Robbie Abelwhite double helped newcomers, AFC Knowsley to a 2-2 draw with South Liverpool Res. in Division One. South's response came through Simon McClay and an own goal, and honours were also shared, after an effort from Rainhill Town's Ant Dunleavy was negated by a goal from Aintree Villa's Dylan Lawless..
Third placed Marshalls eroded the leading duo's lead at the top to three points, when Joe McGowan and Callum Hodgkinson found the net in a 2-1 victory over Litherland Remyca Res. who had Anthony Griffiths in reply.
Saturday's Division Two action, saw Maghull Res. assume pole position, following a 14-0 win against a depleted Runcorn Sports Res. Paul Jewel (4), Joe Howard (2), Sean Robinson (2) Jason Jeffries, Oscar Jones, Tom Ward, Will Hoey, Jack Murphy and Adam Wood claimed the goals.
Efforts from Dan Spear and Dillon Grimshaw saw South Sefton Borough go 2-0 up at FC Kirkby before the third placed challengers rallied to win 3-2, and stayed unbeaten, thanks to replies from Ethan Highton, Charlie Bennett and Jay Tyrer.
Asher Duncan struck twice and received support from Johnny O'Sullivan and Elliot Murphy as Mossley Hill Ath. U23's breezed home 4-0 at Aintree Villa Res. while an effort from Chester Nomads Res.' Cam Clarke was cancelled out by a reply from Marshalls Res.' Ryan Alder.
In Division Three, Neston Nomads U23's overcame Maghull U23's 4-2 and retained top spot on goal difference. Max Horrigan and Will Carden obliged with Maghull's goals, while second placed West Kirby Res' cranked up their title challenge, Dean Wylde and Leo Jones applying the finishing touches, in a 2-1 result at Heswall U23's who had Fankie McGill in response.
A double from Myles Arnott, which included a penalty, anchored Cammell Laird 1907 U23's to a 2-1 victory over AFC Knowlsey U23's whose marksman was Bobby Connnor and Danny Whitehead also bagged a double, as Shaftesbury finished 2-2 with Rainhill Town Res. The visitors answered through Owen Mitchell and Reece Timmins.
Top scorers in Division Three, were seventh placed Sefton Park Rangers who romped home 6-1 against Capenhurst Villa Res. with goals from Brandon O'Keefe(2) Brad O'Brien(2) Abdullah Alkidra and Jamil Campbell-Joseph.
Youth Division leaders, Athletico Blues, were in fine fettle against Vauxhall Motors, and netted through Alex Callister (2), Baden Clarendon (2) and Finn McGovern in a 5-1 triumph, Jordan Lloyd scoring for Motors. Not to be outdone, nearest rivals, Hooton, went one better, James Grahame (3), K-ci Domdji (2) and Callum Lidgett all finding the net in Saturday's 6-0 victory over Maghull B, as the Division's top two remained unbeaten.
Inspired by a Liam Warman hat trick, allied to an effort from Matty Holliday, Helsby won 4-2 against South Liverpool, who hit back Finley Charsley and Josh Whewell and in a local derby, bragging rights went to West Kirby, who sealed a 2-1 result over West Kirby Utd with Joe McKenzie and Tom Cannon on target. Brad Downey scored the visitors' consolation.
Ethan Cain's goal for Mossley Hill Ath proved scant reward against Newton SGA, replies from Muneer Mbarak, Mikey Garnell and Tom Nolan sparking a 3-1 response from the visitors, while Elliot Sullivan, Kian Farrell, Eric Tompson and Ollie Kelly scored for Litherland Remyca in their 4-2 verdict over AFC Knowsley, who replied through Josh French and Dylan O'Brien.
Elsewhere the points were divided, after an effort from Maghull's Billy Brennan was matched by a reply from Christleton's Jack Nash. .
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