Cammell Laird Reserves reach semi-final of Cheshire Amateur Cup

Bad weather cut a large swathe through Saturdays’ Carlsberg West Cheshire fixture list with only eight games escaping its watery clutches. Cammell Laird Reserves’ quarter final tie in the Cheshire Amateur Cup against Knutsford was switched to Laird’s Kirkland’s ground where early pressure by Lairds saw them take a 4th minute lead. A left sided free kick was only partially cleared and from the edge of the box, Ben Holmes arrowed a superb shot into the corner of the visitors’ net. Minutes later Danny Dixon had the chance to make it 2-0 only for his shot to be easily saved by Knutsford keeper Mark Higgs. To their credit the Cheshire Association outfit shook off their early setback and began to build up a number of well-crafted moves and home keeper Matty Hogg had to be alert to snatch the ball off the toes of a Knutsford attacker. But generally the majority of the visitors’ attacks were thwarted by a home defence in which Liam Simon and Kyle Jones were prominent. Shortly before the interval Dixon was presented with a half chance but fired wide of the Knutsford goal frame. As in the 1st period a Laird free kick shortly after the restart spelt danger, only for Higgs to gratefully grab the ball before it crossed the line. But it was to be the visitors who were to take up most of the 2nd half running with the Laird rearguard again proving to be an effective shield in front of the rarely troubled Hogg. After a vain attempt to gain a penalty a visiting player was shown a yellow card for simulation and with 20 minutes remaining, and against the general run of player, Lairds grabbed a vital 2nd goal. An excellent run from Josh Hughes saw him win a corner which was not effectively defended by the visitors and when the ball again fell to “Johnny-on-the-spot” Ben Holmes, he calmly dispatched the ball firmly into the back of the net. Adam Coulls nearly added to the total when forcing Higgs to pull off a full length save and in his eagerness to bag a hat trick Holmes slipped when well positioned as he got on the end of a Hughes cross. Knutsford’s efforts to get back into the contest saw them more exposed to Laird attacks and substitute Kris Hesketh twice had opportunities to extend their advantage but when the final whistle blew, the hosts could be well satisfied with a 2-0 scoreline from a hard fought encounter played in the best of spirits. The other scheduled quarter final tie between Capenhurst Villa and Ashville was again postponed and the game is now switched to Ashville this Saturday [3.00 pm].
Division 1 action was reduced to two games and another large crowd gathered at Old Hall Field where runaway leaders Maghull entertained reigning champions Heswall who, this season; find themselves in the lower reaches of the table. Maghull racked up their 19th win of an amazing campaign after a closer than expected 2-1 victory that sees them head 2nd placed Hale by a massive 21 points. Mike Boyle and Steve Williams netted for the hosts while Andy Brown posted for Heswall. Southport Trinity continue to climb the table and Saturday’s 2-1 success against Mossley Hill Athletic was underpinned by Callum Kelly and Tom Hughes as Tom McNamara struck for Athletic.
There were no games in Division 2 but table topping Rainhill Town’s Matt Dooling grabbed the Division 3 headlines with an amazing 7 goal haul as his side handed out a 13-0 mauling to Belfry in a blistering attacking display. Dave Monteith and Elliott Fagan bagged a brace apiece with Dan Leather and Colin Lynch completing the tally. Ford Motors’ promotion hopes suffered a setback when they went down to a 5-1 home defeat at the hands of Kirby Town Railway. Jack Walker, 2, Dean Kenny, Glen Lamb and Dean Murphy did the damage for Railway as Chris Cottington hit the Ford consolation.
There was a shock in store for Chester Nomads Reserves who bowed out of the Chester Challenge cup at the 3rd round stage when losing a penalty shoot-out, 4-3, to Chester & District League 2nd Division outfit Peacock 09. Earlier, the sides had drawn 1-1 with Liam Ashton the Nomads marksman.
In the Youth Division Jordan McGowan and Mike Davies netted twice as South Liverpool ran out comprehensive 8-1 victors against Maghull. Joe Preston, Dave Mee, Alex Walsh and Alex Griffiths also obliged as Darryl Morgan hit the consolation. Mallaby garnered 3 points by overcoming Newton, 4-1. Connor Cavanagh, Tom Flett, John Whittaker and Connagh Irwin netted for the hosts while Chris Ehlen was on target for Newton.

SATURDAY 18 JANUARY 2014 KICK OFF 2-00P.M * 3-00P.M
DIVISION ONE
BLACON YOUTH CLUB SOUTH LIVERPOOL
CHESTER NOMADS CAMMELL LAIRD RES
CHRISTLETON MAGHULL
HESWALL SOUTHPORT TRINITY
MALLABY WEST KIRBY
MOSSLEY HILL ATHLETIC VAUXHALL MOTORS RES
NEWTON P ASHVILLE P
UPTON A.A HALE
DIVISION TWO
ASHVILLE RES P REDGATE ROVERS P
CAPENHURST VILLA P HESWALL RES P
GATEACRE VILLAGE MERSEY ROYAL
MAGHULL RES MANOR ATHLETIC
MARSHALLS HELSBY
PRESCOT CABLES RES WILLASTON
RICHMOND RAITH ROVERS MAGS AFC BEBINGTON ATHLETIC
WEST KIRBY RES MOSSLEY HILL ATHLETIC RES
DIVISION THREE
BELFRY MARSHALLS RES
BOOTLE RES MERSEYSIDE POLICE
HALE RES CHESTER NOMADS RES
KIRKBY TOWN RAILWAY NESTON NOMADS
*RAINHILL TOWN CHRISTLETON RES
SOUTH LIVERPOOL RES FORD MOTORS
ST HELENS TOWN RES UPTON A.A. RES
WIDNES VIKINGS RES CAPENHURST VILLA RES
YOUTH DIVISION KICK OFF 10-30A.M.
BOOTLE SOUTH LIVERPOOL
MALLABY VAUXHALL MOTORS
WIDNES VIKINGS NEWTON
Open:- WEST KIRBY [REQ]
CHESHIRE AMATEUR CUP 4TH ROUND KICK OFF 3-00P.M
ASHVILLE CAPENHURST VILLA