Cup week

It was cup final week in the Carlsberg West Cheshire league and a successfully taken penalty kick by West Kirby’s Paul Casey deep into injury time, brought a dramatic end to an otherwise uninspiring Pyke Cup final at Vauxhalls on Friday evening. Earlier both Kirby and opponents Mossley Hill Athletic had failed to find the net although Kirby had twice struck the woodwork. The 1st occasion came in an opening half almost devoid of goal scoring opportunities but after the break both sides had chances to seal victory with Kirby’s Dave Webb hitting a fierce shot against the post while at the other end Athletic’s Kurt Sherlock was through on goal only to fire into the side netting. With time running out Yusuf Malik just failed to connect when only feet away from the Kirby goal while Athletic were relieved to see Chris Barrow’s effort clear the bar. Then Webb slipped when having just keeper Colin Griffiths to beat but with seconds remaining the same player was brought down inside the box and Casey ensured that it was West Kirby’s name that was to be engraved on the prestigious trophy.
Division 2 runners up Mallaby took on a Manor Athletic outfit they had defeated 4-0 just a few weeks ago in Thursday’s Haworth and Gallagher Bowl final but it was Athletic who upset the odds by emerging as 1-0 winners from a hard fought contest at Vauxhalls. There was little goal mouth action in a 1st half in which Mallaby did most of the pressing but on the resumption Manor took up the running and were rewarded when Chris Tolley expertly fired home. Their opponents reacted by gradually regaining control but only applied significant pressure in the closing stages when forcing a succession of corners, however Manor defended resolutely and held on to claim the trophy.
Spectators at Wednesday’s West Cheshire Shield final witnessed an 8 goal thriller when Division 3 top dogs, Redgate Rovers took on South Liverpool Reserves. South were quickly off the blocks and raced into a 2-0 lead after just 17 minutes with a terrific Gerrard Forde free kick adding to Francis Evan’s opener. Ten minutes before the break Rovers reduced the arrears courtesy of Craig Blackwell and early in the 2nd period leveled matters when Paul Leamy raced onto a superb through ball and executed a smart finish. Just after the hour mark South were back in front when Evans headed in a corner but with 7 minutes remaining a slick move down their left flank saw Blackwell net a 3rd for Rovers. Extra time was 4 minutes old when Rovers went in front for the 1st time as Leamy rounded a South defender before slotting home and they went on to complete a 5-3 success thanks to an individual effort by the impressive Sam Corlett.
Bootle Youth bagged a hat trick of cup final successes by comprehensively defeating Gateacre 6-0 in Thursday’s Liverpool County FA Cup Youth final held at County headquarters.
With the extended season almost completed, most on field issues have been settled with Monday night’s battle of the Division 1 basement boys going the way of visiting Southport Trinity who defeated Upton AA 4-1 to leave their hosts holding the wooden spoon. Trinity went in front courtesy of Paul Johnson and although Upton leveled via a Simon Andrews penalty, further strikes by Adam McCarthy, 2, and Callum Kelly earned Trinity the points that enabled to leapfrog over their opponents in the table. During the week, Marine FC stated that they were disbanding their Reserve side and having completed their fixtures, would be resigning from the League.
In Division 2 South Liverpool secured their 2nd successive championship title in emphatic style when defeating 3rd placed Maghull Reserves 7-2 on Tuesday evening. Cameron Dalton led the way with a hat trick which was supplemented by Alex Woodcock, 2, Matt Lowe and Kevin Martin as Jay Thomas netted twice for Maghull. South [Steve McLinden, 2] rounded off their campaign by overcoming Willaston 2-0 at the weekend. Fellow promoted side, Mallaby, had Nick Ryan and John Hedges on target when edging to a 2-1 victory over Richmond Raith Rovers [Paul Gouthwaite] on Monday and also tasted weekend success as Gerard Mullen, 2, Jim Ashton and Hedges obliged in the 4-1 win at Marshalls [Ashley Hawthorne]. At the other end of the table, West Kirby Reserves had Mike McGraa and Jamie Kenyon registering as they escaped from the danger zone courtesy of a 2-1 win over Beb Athletic [Wayne Hulse] on Tuesday while 24 hours earlier, Mossley Hill Athletic Reserves [Adam Ramsey, John Daly, Andy Starkey, Brendan Agnew] defeated fellow bottom 2 outfit, Mersey Royal, [Ryan Youds, Billy Newman] 4-2.
By ovrcoming Merseyside Police [David Heaton, Tony Hill] by the odd goal in 5, Gateacre [Jonny McGee, Anthony Reilly, Marc Dermott] joined Division 3 leaders Redgate Rovers on 58 points although Rovers possess a superior goal difference. On Saturday, Upton Reserves’ 1-0 defeat at the hands of Widnes Town [Paul Cliff] ensured that they will complete the season in last place.