THE Carlsberg West Cheshire League side fell at the first hurdle of the FA Inter-League Cup when going down to an emphatic 5-0 defeat at the hands of an impressive Isle of Man outfit.
The opening quarter of the tie at Vauxhall Motors FC was evenly contested but in the 25th-minute a left-wing cross by Cieran McNulty was met by Frank Jones who stole in at the far post to head past Al’Samarrae in the home goal. Five minutes before the break Jones turned provider when he pulled the ball back for Callum Morrissey to convert. Any hopes West Cheshire had of gaining a foothold in the game evaporated when McNulty waltzed through the home defence to score in the 66th minute and soon afterwards Jones again supplied Morrisey with a simple scoring chance.
With time running out Morrissey completed his hat trick for an Isle of Man team who emphasised the benefit of playing regularly together.
First silverware of the West Cheshire season was lifted by Ashville on Wednesday when they won the League’s Charity competition, The Bill Weight Cup courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Runcorn Linnets Reserves. Lee Bridges headed Ashville in front in the 35th minute from a left-wing corner. In an entertaining contest Linnets had the chance to level early in the second period only for Aiden Dickenson to save Jake Cawley’s spot-kick. Almost immediately Ashville substitute Steve Connor ran onto a through ball to complete his side’s 2-0 success.
Mike Urmston was a hat-trick hero and Mark McAffrey also netted as Capenhurst Villa ran out 4-2 winners at Tarporley Victoria in their first round Cheshire Amateur Cup tie while Kieran Smith bagged a brace as Chester Nomads also claimed a Cheshire Association League scalp in their 5-1 victory over Barnton. Ian McGraa netted a double as Cammell Laird Reserves eclipsed Stoconians 6-0 and 10 man Vauxhall Motors Reserves (Mark Winslade) came from behind to grab an extra-time 2-1 triumph over Rudheath Social.
There were though early exits for Blacon YC (Ross Broadbent, Sam Henry, Paul Downridge) who were outgunned 6-3 by Lostock Gralam and Mersey Royal who were on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline at Poynton.
In the all-West Cheshire clashes Tom Carroll was a two-goal man as New Brighton won 5-2 at Neston Nomads while Manor Athletic (Phil Evans, Chris Tolley) eclipsed Mallaby 2-0.
In a reduced Division One programme second-placed Ellesmere Port (Mike Jones) were held to a 1-1 draw by Marshalls (Matty Lowe) while Marine Reserves (Brad Foster) and Mossley Hill Athletic (Byran Little) each suffered 2-1 home reversals at the hands of Upton AA (Simon Andrews, John Hariky) and Southport Trinity (Paul Wainwright, Colin Johnson) respectively.
In Division Two Runcorn Linnets Reserves went down to their first defeat of the campaign when despite goals from Dave Nevitt and Josh Smith they lost 6-2 at Maghull Reserves who had Mike Cummins (3), Baqar Parvas (2), and Sam Ennis on target. Ashville Reserves moved into second place as a result of their 3-0 defeat of Richmond Raith Rovers with Peter Wright (2), and Paul Howell their marksmen.
South Liverpool (Curtis Cummins, Dean Farrefra) retain third spot in Division Three after their narrow 2-1 win over Chester Nomads Reserves (Benito Appollonio) but fourth-placed New Brighton Reserves (Jameson, O’Sullivan) had to be content with a point after sharing four goals with Christleton Reserves (Finlay, own goal). Jordan Lorde and James Walsh obliged for Youth Division leaders Maghull as they saw off Pex Hill 2-0, Lower Breck Road put Finn Harps to the sword in a 5-0 success while Evans netted all three of Runcorn Town’s goals in a 3-1 win at Runcorn Linnets.
