LAST season’s runners-up Maghull are again making a strong bid for the title and Mike Cummins was the star as they overcame host side Blacon YC 5-0.
Cummins included a spot-kick in his hat-trick while Danny Dillon and Paul Keenan also got in on the act. Newton’s prospects suffered a set back as they left their shooting boots behind when visiting Heswall. Although creating the greater number of chances the Greasby outfit who were reduced to 10 men before the end of an open encounter went down to a single goal reversal as Ritchie Foulkes netted.
Ellesmere Port remain in second place with Ritchie Feightman’s strike being the difference between them and visiting Marine Reserves. Table topping Ashville ran out 4-1 winners at Willaston. The lively Steve Connor led the way with a double and was supported by Josh Dures and Carl Maughan with Scott Smith hitting the consolation.
Having used all their substitutes Cammell Laird Reserves played out the final 20 minutes with 10 men at Marshalls but still ran out winners by the odd goal in seven. John Wheedon (2), Paul McDonnell and Jamie Kenyon netted for Lairds with Joe Connelly (2) and Phil Davies registering for the hosts.
The youthful Vauxhall Motors Reserves side (Craig Cairns 2, Sean Keavey) elevated them selves up the table following their 3-2 success at Southport Trinity (Ian Morrison, Phil Franklin) and Mossley Hill Athletic returned to winning ways when Danny Yates, Ryan Powell and Nic Christophis were on target in the 3-1 victory at Upton AA (Mike Hughes). Christleton had Steve Finlay posting in their 1-1 draw with neighbours Chester Nomads whose reply came via an own goal.
Graham Carvell was again on hand as he netted the game’s only goal for Beb Athletic on their visit to Maghull Reserves and New Brighton (Tom Carroll, Paul Lindfield, Danny McGill) also stayed in the Division Two promotion hunt with a 3-0 victory over Marshalls Reserves. Second-placed Ashville Reserves were held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Heswall Reserves who had Andrew Brown equalising Peter Wright’s opener. In midweek a strong Ashville side (Steve Mutphy, Paul Howell, Peter Wright) came from behind to overcome Runcorn Linnets Reserves (Liam Page) but Linnets bounced back on Saturday when doubles from Lewis Buckley and Tom Riley steered them to a 7-0 mauling of Bronze Social.
Another two-goal man was Dave Forbes as West Kirby Reserves gained a 2-0 verdict over Manor Athletic while Lee Owens and Yablans Williams each bagged a brace as Prescott Cables Reserves secured a 4-1 result over Mallaby (Steve Rutter) 4-1.
Lewis Walters, Alan Locke and Mike Urmston all obliged as Capenhurst Villa eased to a 3-0 victory over lowly Richmond Raith Rovers.
There was a shock first defeat of the season for Division Three leaders Helsby (Alan Bond) who went down 2-1 at home at the hands of Capenhurst Villa Reserves (Lee Reynolds, Lee Chadwick) while South Liverpool moved into second place as a result of their impressive 6-0 triumph over Beb Athletic Reserves. Dave O’Leary starred with a hat-trick and was supported by Neil Fisher, Curtis Cummings and Patrick Kelly.
