Round Up 15 September 2012

The blow-up Father Christmas’s and mince pies are beginning to appear in the High Street so it must be time for the first silverware of the West Cheshire season to be decided. On Wednesday at Villa Park, an excellent tussle saw Hale and Ashville compete in a 1-1 draw over normal time, with Ashville eventually running out 3-5 winner s on
penalties. Hale had an Ashville own goal to thank for their participation in the shoot-out, with Joe Brazzell scoring for the winners.

Saturday saw Division One take something of a back seat as twelve sides took part in the first round of the Cheshire Amateur Cup. West Cheshire League sides have enjoyed significant dominance in the competition over recent years. So it was no surprise to see eight sides progress to the next round.

Pride of place has to go to Chester side Upton AA who enjoyed a respite from their Division One travails to sweep aside Atlantic 0-6. For the record Upton’s Nathan Mapletoft and Tom Fellows claim a pair each with Tod Reid and Dinu Maghici make it a nice round half dozen.
Helsby proved themselves to be no slouches also winning away from home at Eagle of Stockport by five goals to two. Again two players, John Coady and Ian Cox claimed a brace each with Steve O’Brien clinching the fifth.

AFC Bebington Athletic eased past Moore United 3-0 thanks to scores from Matty Earp, Stuart Smith and Sean Heggarty. Phil Strapp, Tony Ashton and Mark Ryan ensured that Blacon YC capped a fine performance at Tarporley Vics, winning 2-3 (Jamie Rogers, Kevin Garland (2) )Capenhurst Villa also scored three goals, unfortunately they let Sale Town grab three which meant that they had to rely on the nerve-wracking penalty shoot-out to
progress 4-3. Not so fortunate from the spot were Ellesmere Port and Manor Athletic.
Having played their part in a fine 2-2 draw at Malpas, thanks to efforts from Francis Robinson and Chris Gear, Port were edged out 5-6 in the shoot-out. Likewise Manor Athletic, playing in the only all West Cheshire tie of the round, secured an excellent 2-2 draw (Andy Kingham, Graham Williams) at title hopefuls, Vauxhall Motors Reserves (Mark Bainbridge, Tom Craig) only to lose from the spot, 3-1.

Newton needed extra-time to win at Lostock Gralam 1-3 (Jerome McIntyre, Dave Thompson & Jamie Hannah) whilst Mersey Royal went down at home to Spurley Hey 2-3 (Gary Knight, Ryan Youds). Mallaby were unfortunate to lose 2-1 (Gerrard Mullen) at Newton Athletic.

In the Lancashire Amateur Shield first round Merseyside Police copped a drubbing, losing 2-6 at home to Dalton United. Two goals for Dave Heaton being the only Consolation for the Riversdale outfit. Southport Trinity restored some West Cheshire pride beating Burscough Richmond 3-2 (Chris Killen, Andy Vernan, Callum Kelly).

The three remaining Division One games saw fifteen goals with the amazing goal scoring exploits of Cammell Laird Reserves continuing unabated. This time Hale were on the wrong end of a 7-2 thrashing at Kirkland after taking an early lead. Laird’s John Atkinson was a hat trick hero for the home side, with Craig Cearns claiming two goals. Making up the seven were scores from Josh Dunroe and Chris Hesketh. Hale’s Chris Travis and Wayne Smith would have found little joy in their goals.

Maghull claimed only their second league win of what has proved to be a most disappointing season so far. Neil Buck’s goal made sure that Mossley Hill Athletic went home pointless. In what was probably the ‘match of the day’ Marine Reserves hosted table-topping Heswall. By the end of the afternoon, Marine had taken Heswall’s premier placing having beaten the Wirral side 3-2. Marine claimed all three points thanks to Tony Sayer, Phil Ferguson and Anthony Shinks. Heswall’s reply came from Mat Johnson and Lee Cairns.

In Division Two, South Liverpool’s dominance continued apace, this time Ashville Reserves coming a cropper at Jericho Lane, 5-2, ensuring South keep the top place. South have Gary Dunning, Alex Woodcock, Stephen McLinden, Andy Tull and an Ashville own goal to thank for that. Ashville’s replies cane from Kyle Birch and Liam Jameson.
Meanwhile Heswall Reserves are not giving up the fight in second place, winning at Gayton Park against West Kirby Reserves 3-1. West Kirby’s James Atherton’s goal proved only to be a consolation against scores from Owen Davies (2) and Colin Cunliffe.

Prescot Cables Reserves battered Mossley Hill Athletic Reserves 5-0, with Charlie Williams (2), Lee Ownes (2) and Jack Shaw ensuring the Cables went ‘nap’! Another Liverpool derby saw Richmond Raith Rovers (Robert Madine, Anthony Lee) beat Marshalls 2-0.
Finally Maghull Reserves ensured a happy day for the Old Hall Field club by winning 1-2 at Willaston. Maghull’s Tony Summers and Tony Hart put the smiles back on the club’s faces. Trevor Worsley replied for Willaston.