AMATEUR FOOTBALL: Heswall go top of West Cheshire League as winter chill decimates programme

Dec 22 2009 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

JACK FROST was the only winner on Saturday as the whole of the West Cheshire League programme was frozen out.

As the forthcoming Saturday falls on Boxing Day the current league tables will still be in place as we enter the New Year.

Holding top spot in Division One are Heswall who last lifted the title in 2005. Hot on their heels are Cammell Laird Reserves, West Kirby and Runcorn Town. The latter are aiming to be members of the North West Counties next season and have recently installed floodlights to boost their claims which will be given added impetus should they become West Cheshire champions. West Kirby are seeking their fourth successive title but their first outing of 2010, on January 2, will be a tasty looking home tie in the quarter-finals of the Cheshire Amateur Cup against Runcorn Town.

Heading Division Two are Southport Trinity who have played fewer games than two other Liverpool sides who are immediately below them in Mossley Hill Athletic and Marshalls. But all three will be aware of the threat of Chester Nomads and New Brighton who also have games in hand and like Trinity have each suffered just one defeat during the campaign to date.

Table toppers in Division Three are Hale who have perennial promotion chasers Runcorn Town Reserves breathing down their necks. New boys Prescot Cables Reserves hold third place and are making a strong bid while the reserve outfits of Christleton and Ashville are pulling out all the stops in an attempt to return to a Division Two in which each has previously spent many years.

There is a high standard of football on display every Saturday morning in the Youth Division which is headed by Widnes Town, but they face strong opposition from South Liverpool and St Sebastians in what is a very competitive division.

The League are hoping that next year could prove to be a milestone in its history as its representative side aim for a place in a UEFA competition. That is the prize on offer for the winners of the FA National League Systems Cup and last week the draw was made for the quarter-final stage. Although some may have preferred a trip to Jersey or Guernsey team manager Steve Platt has been granted his wish for a home draw when Yorkshire Old Boys League will be the visitors.

REST OF THE DRAW: Liverpool County Premier League v Cambridgeshire County League, Jersey Football Combination v Dorset Premier League, Guernsey Senior County League v Hertfordshire County League. Ties to be completed by February 20.