Heswall prevent Runcorn heading division table

Dec 4 2007 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

RUNCORN TOWN missed their chance to take over the leadership of the Carlsberg West Cheshire Division One after being held at title challengers Heswall.

It took until the 51st minute before the home side made a breakthrough with an individual effort from Tom Rowlands, who beat two defenders and rounded the keeper before slotting home from an acute angle.

While never threatening a second, Heswall were in control of the game until James McShane equalised in the 65th minute, hitting a shot through a crowded penalty area.

Heswall continued to press for the winner but Runcorn played out for the point.

A Paul McDonald goal for Cammell Laird Reserves was enough to take maximum points at Marine Reserves and leapfrog to the top of the table on goal difference.

The wheels at Vauxhall Motors Reserves came off with the visit of West Kirby.

Having won three of their last four Vauxhall were stung by goals from Kyle Jones, Paul Casey and Jon Paul Stanhope. Thomas Carroll pulled one back for the Motormen.

In the remaining Pyke Cup tie, New Brighton set up a meeting with Castrol Social after securing a resounding win against visitors Christleton, as a hat-trick from Mike Burke and one each from Carl Maughan and Paul Rowlands saw them through to the semi-finals.

Poulton Vics Reserves increased their lead to four points in Division Two with a solo goal from Sean Kelly securing the points against visitors Willaston.

Halton had to be content with a point at West Kirby Reserves, John McDonald and Steven Horrocks cancelling out strikes from Kirby’s Mike Docherty and Mark Price.

Struggling Ashville Reserves had an unexpected win at high-flying Maghull Reserves, Simon Donaghue, Lee Davey and Danny Murphy providing the goals, Craig Nuttall scored for Maghull.

Christleton Reserves salvaged a point with a Tom Shone strike against Heswall Reserves, who had Craig Parry on target.

Chester Nomads continued their climb up the table as New Brighton were on the end of a 5-2 hiding thanks to two goals from Mark Crossen and one each from Eden Fenton, Mike Jeffs and Dale Harris.

Capenhurst Villa moved into third place after Ryan Nicholl (2), Ron McGill and an own goal shattered Grange Athletice.

There were plenty of goals in the foot of the table clash with Bebington Athletic’s Graham Carvell (2) and David Iqbal cancelling out Fairfield Athletic’s Ashton Gibiliru (2) and David Whelan strikes.

Mallaby had Mark Collymore and Wayne Bell on target as they beat fellow strugglers Helsby, who replied through Richard Keen.

In the third division Richmond Raith Rovers finally found the winning formula after letting games slide away from them.

A 13th-minute header from Braithwaite gave them a lead which lasted only two minutes after a dreadful backpass found Shane Crimes, who rounded the keeper to equalise.

Undeterred, Richmond played some good football on a heavy pitch and were rewarded with a superb goal from Dom Gilchrist, whose curling shot found the top corner.

Richmond added another in the second half through David Allen before Scott Broadbent pulled one back for the visitors.

Division One: Heswall 1 Runcorn Tn 1; Marine Res 0 Cammell Laird Res 1; Vauxhall Motors 1 West Kirby 3. Pyke Cup second round: New Brighton 5 Christleton 0. Division Two: AFC Bebington Ath 3 Fairfield Ath 3; Chester Nomads 5 New Brighton Res 2; Christleton Res 1 Heswall Res 1; Grange Ath 1 Capenhurst Villa 4; Helsby 1 Mallaby 2; Maghull Res 1 Ashville Res 3; Poulton Victoria Res 1 Willaston 0; West Kirby Res 2 Halton 2. Division Three: Fairfield Ath Res1 Bronze Social 6; Focus 3 Ellesmere Port Res 0; Mersey Royal 1 FC Pensby 2; Richmond Raith Rovers 3 Blacon Yth Club Res 2; Runcorn Tn Res 3 Manor Ath 0; St Werburghs 2 Mossley Hill Ath 8; Upton AA Res 4 Shaftesbury 0. Youth Division: Maghull 4 Jacobs 6.