BEFORE reporting the weekends results and scorers, I would like to address the growing conversation around 4G pitches and games being scheduled on Friday nights.

Although the subject of 4G pitches may not be a negative, it is relevant to Friday night games which sparks mixed opinions across the football community.

I believe Friday night football is a positive alternative for amateur leagues. While nothing compares to the traditional Saturday afternoon game on a grass pitch, Friday evenings bring a unique energy and anticipation, along with the added benefit of freeing up Saturday for other activities.

In recent years, I have often heard comments like, "It's a Saturday league" or "Friday games shouldn't be allowed." While I understand this arrangement does not suit everyone—particularly those with work commitments—there is an argument to be made for embracing the change With the ongoing referee shortage and the increasing availability of 4G pitches, which can withstand almost any weather, it makes sense to utilise these resources to keep games on schedule and avoid unnecessary postponements.

Historically, the CWFL has always played on days other than Saturdays. While this has been less common in recent seasons, in years gone by, midweek games in August and September were the norm. Later in the season, when fixture congestion becomes an issue and some teams face the challenge of playing three games in a week, postponements become inevitable—a situation no one wants.

Looking ahead, it is likely that 4G pitches will become the standard, and matches played on days other than Saturday will only increase. Rather than resist this change, I believe it is time to embrace it as a positive development for the future of football. Personally, despite the soreness that follows, I enjoy playing on 4G surfaces and welcome the Friday night fixtures. Today’s players are fortunate to have such flexibility, and I only wish the 4G pitches were around in my younger playing days.

Premier & Championship

Onto the football now and on Friday night in the CWFL Premier Division Moreton and Upton JFC Reserves played out an exhilarating 4-4 draw. Upton having led three times at various stages were pegged back by Moreton’s never say die attitude. Manny Olaitan was in fine form for Moreton, netting twice, with Jay Hanson and Hayden Thompson adding a goal each to keep their team level. Upton's Aaron Rowlands led the charge for the visitors with a brace, while Joe Williams and Jord Mather found the back of the net to ensure a share of the spoils in a pulsating encounter.

Another Friday night game this time in CWFL Championship saw FC Farndon put up a valiant fight, holding reigning champions Waggon & Horses at bay before taking the lead, courtesy of a stunning 25-yard screamer from Mason Whelan. However, once Waggon & Horses found their rhythm, the floodgates opened. Ben Barrett spearheaded the comeback, delivering a sensational performance by hammering home four goals. Patrick Jennings added a well-taken brace, while Aden Parker also got on the scoresheet as the champions ran out 7-2 winners. Deyontae James netted Farndon’s other goal.

CWFL Queensferry Premier Division

Saturday action in CWFL Queensferry Premier Division seen a much tighter affair, with Hoole Rangers edging out Handbridge 2-1. Reece Ludlow and Godwin Nweze netted for Hoole Rangers, sealing a hard-fought victory. Joe Davis scored the lone goal for Handbridge, but it wasn’t enough to stop Hoole from claiming all three points, Meanwhile, Waggon & Horses cruised to a comfortable 5-1 victory over Hoole Rovers. Billy Fennell led the charge with a well-taken brace, while Aiden Field, Calyn Barlow, and Shaun Gregerson each added goals to secure all three points. It was a clinical display from Waggon, who seem to have found their rhythm after a slow start to the season.

CWFL Olympic Trophies Championship Division

In a thrilling encounter, AFC Waverton edged Ellesmere Port Town U21 in a seven-goal spectacle. Noel Jones, Aaron Worthington, and Zak Maw found the back of the net for Ellesmere Port Town, but it wasn't enough to outshine AFC Waverton's Dec Jones, Alex Jones, Louis Finn, and Alex Gray, who each scored to secure a 4-3 victory.

Horse & Jockey FC triumphed against Fender FC (formally Cheshire Vikings) in another 4-3 scoreline. Thomas Evans, Jamie Maddocks, Conor Martin, and Reece Jones all netted for the home side, while Fender's Archie Keating, James Marshall, and Ian Davies all got on the scoresheet.

West Kirby 3rd came out on top in a nine-goal thriller against Lache FC, winning 5-4. Warren Kelly netted another hat-trick for Lache while Keiye Williams also scored but West Kirby's Jack Waddicar, Ant Jacobs, Jude Keith, Louis Brown, and Sam Johnson all chipped in with goals to seal the victory.

A stalemate between Upton JFC and Whitegate FC saw neither side able to break the deadlock, as the match ended in a rare 0-0 draw.

CWFL Tarvin Precision Vets Division 3

Eastham Vets stormed to a commanding 6-3 victory over Waggon & Horses Vets, propelling them to the top of the Tarvin Vets Division 3 table. Joe Crane and Brian Barber both found the net twice, with Matt Gill and Gaz Lupton adding to the tally. Despite the loss, Waggon & Horses put up a fight, with Danny Davies scoring a brace and Wayne Rigby adding a goal.

Hartford Vets, hot on the heels of Eastham, secured a solid 3-1 victory over FC Farndon Vets to move into second place. Pete Wilson, Dom Elliot, and Rob Aimes were on target for Hartford, while Carlos Ces scored the lone goal for FC Farndon, which wasn’t enough to stop Hartford from taking all three points.

In a hard-fought match, Ellesmere Port Vets and Parkfield Rangers Vets ended in a 2-2 draw. Luke Barrat and Luke Guest provided the goals for Ellesmere, while a brace from Kev Pink ensured that Parkfield walked away with a valuable point.

CWFL Tarvin Precision Vets Division 4

Dee Rangers Vets put on a ruthless attacking display to go top of the table on goal difference, demolishing FC Vaults Vets 9-2. Luke Bedson was unstoppable, netting four goals, while Chris Scutter added a brace. Danny Deakin, Edwin Reyes, and an own goal from FC Vaults completed the dominant performance.

Frodsham Park Vets secured a narrow 1-0 win over Wirral Masters Vets, moving into second place on goal difference. Ant Ollier’s goal proved to be the decisive factor in a closely contested match.

Hoole Rangers Vets and Nags Head Bunbury Vets shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw. Dan Eborall scored for Hoole Rangers, while David Tomlinson’s equalizer for Nags Head ensured both teams walked away with a hard-earned point.

CWFL Tarvin Precision Vets Division 5

In an exciting encounter, Poulton Athletic Vets secured a 4-2 win over Great Sutton Vets. Lee Dermody was the star of the match with two goals, complemented by strikes from Franny Tolman and Mick McCann. Great Sutton’s Gaz Handley and Mark Newmans put up a fight but couldn’t bridge the gap.

Crossway Vets put on an impressive display, defeating Witton Albion Vets in a high-scoring affair winning 5-3. Wes Roberts shone with a brace, while Juston Osuji added Josh Jones and Lukasz Jurcak all netted for Crossway. Witton replied with efforts from Oliver James and Dave Ashley.

In a keenly contested match, Cheshire Vikings managed to earn a draw against West Kirby Vets. Edward Wylde opened the scoring for the Vikings, but Lee Bedding equalized for the visitors, ensuring both teams left with a point.

Hoole Wanderers Vets hit Frodsham Reserves for eight without reply thanks to a hat-trick from Tom Swinburn and singles from Will Campbell, Matty Fowler, Norbert Vincze, Oghenetejiro Anidia and an own goal.