Castrol Social claim cup victory against Runcorn

Mar 25 2008 by Arthur Green, Liverpool Daily Post

CASTROL SOCIAL became a new name on the Pyke Cup as they completely outplayed favourites Runcorn Town.

Castrol set their stall out to contain the free-scoring Runcorn forwards and came close to an opener in the 30th minute when they rattled the crossbar.

But five minutes later Gary Scott made no mistake from close range as the Runcorn defence failed to clear a floated left wing free-kick.

Runcorn never found the rhythm which has seen them challenge for the first division title and in the 70th minute, after mesmerising everyone Stewart Carroll struck the ball past a rooted Karl Willis in the Runcorn goal. Runcorn struck back only to have a goal disallowed for off side.

The nerves are starting to get to the top sides in the first division. After dominating the game West Kirby could only manage a point against visitors Poulton Victoria, having made several gilt-edged chances early on. Paul Casey broke the deadlock in the 35th minute to put Kirby ahead, but five minutes later and against the run of play Ian Sheridan broke free and equalised.

Third-placed Cammell Laird Reserves couldn’t even muster a point as lowly Aintree Villa had Eric Woodward and Drew Hyland on target to cancel out a strike by Paul McDonnell for the home side.

Ashville may lack sufficient games to pull their season round but they are fighting for survival and a well-earned three points came their way at the expense of Maghull, Paul Haddock and Davy Johnson finding the net.

Having lost out to Poulton Victoria in the Umbro semi-final 2-1 in mid week Newton’s season got even worse with a rampant Vauxhall Motors Reserves firing in six goals. Thomas Carroll (2), Liam Walker, Anthony Carroll, Tom Cairns and Dave Lynch all netted to leaveNewton two points off a relegation place.

Heswall’s indifferent season continued with a reversal at Upton A.A., Danny Andrews striking the only goal.

In a thrilling game at Marine Reserves the result was in doubt till the end, the home side just edged past visitors New Brighton. Goals from Neil Stairzaker, Steve Cain, Paul Culkin and Paul Pearson secured the points for the Mariners as Dave McDermott, Mike Burke and Alan Bull replied for the visitors.

Champions of the 2nd Division went ahead mid way through the first half through James Beattie before a second half equaliser from Graeme Carvell gave Bebington Athletic hope. A late winner from Sean Kelly spoilt their day.

In the race for second place Halton had the upper hand against Grange Athletic, the home side had John McDonald hitting a double and one from Lee Evans as the visitors wilted and replied through Scott Rioch.

Two goals from Gary Knight and Mike New helped Mallaby to a comfortable win against relegation contenders Fairfield Athletic.

A hat-trick from Kevin Ward and one from Nick Askey helped Helsby move above Chester Nomads, the Nomads had Mike Jeffs, Dale Harris and Jack Delgardo on target.

The two youngest teams in the third division contributed to a feast of football, with Richmond Raith Rovers coming out on top. Two goals in the space of five minutes midway through the first half from Paul Goothwaite and Dom Gilchrist set Richmond on their way. Hale pulled one back through Rob Conlon just before the interval but David Allan wrapped up the game in the second half.

Fairfield Athletic, languishing in the relegation positions, pulled off a shock win at fourth-placed Manor Athletic, Ashton Gibiliru netting twice. Carl Butler pulled one back for Manor.

Bronze Social are sweeping all before them and a fine 6-1 win against Shaftesbury with two hatricks from Marc Stewart and Shaun Mooney, Ali Major hitting a consolation for the visitors.

Not to be outdone Mossley Hill Athletic kept the pressure on with a 5-0 win against a weakened FC Pensby side. Phil and Kevin Frankland, Neil McCarthy and two from Simon Ellison finding the net.

In the Youth Plate competition, Hale 4-3 winners over Champions Jacobs in the week had to fight their way back from a two goal deficit after Phil Hayward and Kieran Delaney had given Cammell Laird a 2-0 interval lead. Shaun Wright pulled one back after the interval and when the Laird ‘keeper split the ball Fassilli Poza was on hand to equalise.

Cheshire County FA Amateur Cup semi-final:@ Newton 1 (Jones) Poulton Victoria 2 (Nall, Sheridan). Youth Division Plate: Hale 4 Jacobs 3. Pyke Cup final: Castrol Social 2 Scott, Carroll) Runcorn Town 0; Chester Senior Cup Semi Final: Christleton 2 (Sweeney 2) Upton AA 1 (Despeneo). Division One: Ashville 2 (Haddock, Johnson) Maghull 0; Cammell Laird Res 1 (McDonnell) Aintree Villa 2 (Woodward, Hyland); Ellesmere Port 0 Blacon Youth Club 0; Marine Res 4 Stirzaker, Cain, Culkin, Pearson) New Brighton 3 (McDermott, Burke, Bull); Upton AA 1 (Andrews) Heswall 0; Vauxhall Motors Res 6 (Walker, A Carroll, Cairns, T Carroll 2, Lynch) Newton 0; West Kirby 1 (Casey) Poulton Victoria 1 (Sheridan). Division Two: Chester Nomads 3 (Jeffs, Harris, Delgardo) Helsby 4 (Ward 3, Askey); Halton 3 (McDonald 2, Evans) Grange Athletic 1 (Rioch); Mallalby 2 (Knight, New) Fairfield Athletic 0; New Brighton Res 8 Dermondy 3, Carroll 2, Jamieson 2, Boyd) Christleton Res 0; Poulton Victoria Res 2 (Battie, Kelly) AFC Bebington Athletic 1 (Carvell); Willaston 2 (Forbes, Dunbar) Ashville Res 0. Division Three: Blacon Youth Club Res 1 (Wild) Mersey Royal 2 (Graham, Owen) Bronze Social 6 (Sherratt 3, Mooney 3) Shaftesbury 1 (Major); Capenhurst Villa Res 5 (Parkinson, Fawson, Hayes, Hughes, Whitlow) St Werburghs 2 (Campbell 2); Focus 3 (Starkey, Power, Alfonoso) Runcorn Town Res 4 (Jolly, McShane 3); Manor Athletic 1 (Butler) Fairfield Athletic Res 2 (Gibiliru 2); Mossley Hill Athletic 5 (P Frankland, K Frankland, McCarthy, Ellison 2) FC Pensby 0; Richmond Raith Rovers 3 (Goothwaite, Gilchrist, Allen) Hale 1 (Conlon). Youth Division Plate: Cammell Laird 2 (Heyward, Delaney) Hale 2 (Wright, Poza); Chester Nomads 1 Jacobs 2 ( O’Keefe 2); Maghull 0 South Liverpool 3 (Evans, Wilson, Cain).