FOLLOWING a poor start to their debut season in the Go2Day West Cheshire League’s Division One, AFC Knowsley are beginning to find their feet, and registered their third win of the season thanks to a 4-0 result at Helsby. A Ben Taylor double was supplemented by further efforts from Carl Peers and Greg Williams as the visitors continued their climb to mid table sanctuary.

League leaders, Mossley Hill Ath., stayed a point in credit at the top of the table when Joe Hornby obliged with the game’s only goal at Vauxhall Motors Res., while nearest rivals, FC Bootle, with goals from Jack Flynn and a late winner from Jacob Jones, remained in hot pursuit, as a result of a 2-1 victory over Litherland Remyca Res. Josh Rice netted for the visitors.

Despite an effort from Ben Summers, Ellesmere Port Town went down 3-1 at home to sixth placed South Liverpool Res., who sealed the issue, with goals from Matty Robinson (2) and Harvey Billington.

Aiden Hill and Jamie Easton were on the mark for Capenhurst Villa, who eclipsed Heswall 2-0 and it was celebration time for Chester Nomads, Cam Clark, Sam Spridgeon, and Aaron Hinchcliffe sharing the goals in a 3-2 decision over Marshalls.

Third placed challengers, Aintree Villa, with goals from Matty Evans, Liam Van Gelder and Alfie Millington, were good value for their 3-1 win at basement outfit, Runcorn Sports, who had Louie Marron in response.

Mallaby’s promotion bid from Division Two went into reverse, after a goal either side of the half from Cal Spence anchored a well drilled Neston Nomads to a 2-0 triumph and the same scoreline saw Marshalls Res., over the line against Runcorn Sports Res. Sam Bradley and Elliot Musa were the scorers.

Nathan Cope was on the mark for Hooton who lost 3-1 at home to the improving Cammell Laird 1907 Res. Kieran Hughes, Adam Larway and Alfie Millington scored for the Shipbuilders who notably have games in hand to influence the promotion chase.

Elsewhere, both teams went home with a point, after efforts from Mossley Ath. U23’s Asher Duncan, Kassim Jebrin and Adil Mohammed were matched by replies from Higher Bebington Kelma’s Dylan Jeffery(2) and Keith Lewis.

In Division Three, Alex Morgan’s fine double assured unbeaten pacesetters, Sutton Rangers of a 2-0 win against Capenhurts Vila Res., but nearest rivals, Neston Nomads U23’s forfeited ground when they were unlocked by a lone strike from Sefton Park Rangers’ Surahatah Dammeh.

Tom Robinson and Rowan Cook claimed the goals for AFC Knowsley U23’s in their 2-2 stalemate with Great Sutton, and in another 2-2 finish, efforts from Heswall U23’s Tom Ryan and Rhys Navis were negated by replies from Maghull U23’s Dan O’Doherty and Max Horrigan.

Jack Wilkinson’s effort proved to no avail for Willaston, who were upstaged by a rampant Ellesmere Port Town U23’s. The visitors posted a 6-1 result, courtesy of goals from Dan Millward(2) Seb Bogles, Jamal Lucas Robertswood and Ben Sweeney.

Danny Willson, Joel West and Mick McStein bagged a goal apiece, as West Kirby Res. , drew 3-3 with fourth placed challengers, Christleton.

Saturday’s Youth Division action saw second placed Vauxhall Motors U18s erode Athletico Blues’ lead at the top to three points Bobby Houghton and Rodrigo Tiskus hitting the target in a 2-0 victory over Mossley Hill Ath. but a goal from Tyler Wilcox failed to prevent West Kirby from losing 1-0 – at home to AFC Knowsley.

Doubles from Adam Ross and John Clarkson allied to an effort from Billy Brennan. edged a nine goal thriller in favour of Maghull against South Liverpool, who replied through Archie Woodcock, Callum Shields, Ollie Cantwell and Josh Whewell while Newton SGA were indebted to goals from Shay McGirr, Muneer Mbarak and Yusuf Abdullah for their 3-0 verdict over Litherland Remyca.

James Heraty and Oscar Burns netted for Helsby against local rivals Christleton but it was the hosts who went home with maximum spoils when Charlie Beyeler, Luke Carey, Sam Thomas, Jack Lane and Ed Looker replied to set up a 5-2 win.

Thomas Yates struck for Athletico Blues who beat Pilkington 1-0 he LCFA Youth Cup 2nd round and in the West Cheshire Shield, Cammell Laird 1907 U23’s eliminated Shaftesbury. A Jack Gordon hat trick inspired Lairds to a 3-1 victory with Danny Whitehead netting foor the Shafts.