Heswall come from behind to beat Newton

This weekend’s virtually full programme of the Carlsberg West Cheshire league, was littered with important games and surprise results. Having dropped fewest points to date, Heswall are current favourites for the Division 1 title and on Saturday fought back from 2-1 down to defeat visiting Newton, 3-2. Richie Foulkes edged the hosts in front but were quickly brought back on level terms by a Ruben Carroll strike. After the break, Newton took a 2-1 lead courtesy of Neil Miles at which point each side had a man sent off. A Foulkes spot kick regained parity and Heswall claimed all 3 points when Matt Holt popped up at the back post to head the winner. Pushing hard to deny Heswall are West Kirby who, despite being 2-0 to the good at one stage, had to settle for a point when a brace from Vauxhalls Motors Reserves’ Tom Craig in the final 10 minutes saw the sides finish 2 apiece. Earlier a first half own goal and a 25 yarder from Mike McGraa had counted for Kirby. Leaders Cammell Laird Reserves [John Atkinson,2] also hit back late on to snatch a 2-2 draw when visiting Hale [Andy Cashmore, Chris Travis]. At the other end of the table Upton AA entertained the only side below them in the table, Ellesmere Port. The hosts made the early running and went in front in the 12th minute when Nathan Mapletoft headed home a free kick. Upton extended their lead 10 minutes before the break when Simon Andrews played a neat one-two with Tom Fellows and calmly slipped the ball into the net. Port’s cause was hampered when they were reduced to 10 men on the stroke of half time but ironically for the majority of the 2nd period enjoyed their best spell of the contest. However, with 15 minutes remaining, Mapletoft sealed a crucial 3-0 success when he beat the offside trap before coolly lobbing the ball over Luke Pichon. Upton, with 4 games in hand, are now just 2 points behind Southport Trinity who suffered a disastrous 7-0 home reversal at the hands of Marine Reserves who had Andy Gilchrist and Rob Duran grabbing hat tricks. Christleton [Gary McFadden, Darren Coyle] made home advantage count when overcoming Maghull [Shaun Sandison] 2-1 while despite a Kieran Smith double, Chester Nomads had to be content with a point from their visit to Mossley Hill Athletic [Sean Alcock, Yusuf Malik].
Mallaby’s charge towards a 2nd Division promotion place suffered a 2nd successive setback when they went down 4-1 at Capenhurst Villa whose Mike Banks was a 2 goal man while Danny Powell did likewise for Richmond Raith Rovers who kept their hopes alive thanks to a 4-0 home victory over Helsby. Unbeaten South Liverpool remain in pole position after Kevin Martin netted the game’s only goal on their visit to West Kirby Reserves while Maghull Reserves [Mike McGinn,2, Tony Hart] lie 2nd after defeating Mossley Hill Reserves [Phil Duncan] 3-1.
Widnes Town emphasized their recent resurgence by seeing off Division 3 leaders Belfry 5-0 as Paul Cliff starred with a 4 goal haul while a hat trick from Rickie Neil underpinned Ellesmere Port Reserves 2nd win of the campaign when they saw off fellow basement boys Upton AA Reserves, 4-1. Ryan Troudale bagged a brace as Chester Nomads Reserves reached the semi-finals of the West Cheshire Shield at the expense of local rivals Christleton Reserves courtesy of a 4-2 success and Redgate Rovers [Craig Blackwell,2 Dave Jones] also reached the last 4 after seeing off Gateacre’s challenge, 3-1. Doubles from Andy Iniabere and Tyrone O’Hare plus a Daniel Bulayma strike saw Marshalls Reserves breeze through the 5th round of the Liverpool FA Intermediate cup with the 5-0 eclipse of The Castle and in midweek Bootle reached the semi finals of the Liverpool Youth cup when Joel Powell, Anthony Seddon, Jack McCabe, John Cheetham netted in the 4-1 extra time triumph over Dunlop Juniors. Joining them are Gateacre who had Kristian O’Rielly, Connor McCarthy and Chris Jackson obliging in the 3-1 win over Formby Juniors at the weekend.