Carlsberg West Cheshire League with Ernie McDonald

VAUXHALL Motors Reserves threw their hat in the ring again for the Carlsberg West Cheshire League's Division One title, after putting the skids under current leaders Poulton Victoria.

The 2003 champions savoured the last laugh on their previous boss, Steve Leyland, after Nick Simber and Alan Griffiths plundered the goals in Saturday's 2-0 victory.

In midweek, Vics secured their passage to the Pyke Cup Final after a solitary strike from Kevin Davies curtailed the interests of form side Maghull.

There was further disappointment for the Liverpool outfit on Saturday, when a Gary Reay goal clinched three points for reigning champions Heswall at Gayton Park.

Dave Rudge and Paul Mort were responsible for the goals in New Brighton's 2-1 eclipse of Castrol Social. Matt Humphries scored the Oilmen's consolation.

Division Two leaders Maghull Reserves consolidated their position at the top of the table following a 3-1 win against Ashville's second string, courtesy of a goal apiece from Dave Oxton, Ged Maloney and Brian Ward.

Respective marksmen in FC Pensby's 3-3 nail-biter with Heswall Reserves were Rob Gittens, Dave Swain, Mark Irvine, Paul Howells, 2, and Jason Senogles.

Elsewhere, John Johnson popped up with a timely winner, as Poulton Vics Reserves disposed of Halton 2-1.

West Kirby Reserves extended their lead at the top of Division Three to nine points, after goals from Carl Maughan, Terry Cotgrave and Ian Laughlan secured a 3-0 win over promotion rivals Focus. Nearest rivals Bebington Athletic had James Douglas and James Hough on the mark, but dropped three points after replies from Ryan Butcher, 2, and Dave Roberts set visitors Upton AA Reserves up for a 3-2 victory.

Brett Walcott, John Deakin and Paul Coventry made the score sheet in Bronze Social's 3-0 verdict over bottom club Shaftesbury and a Nick Cushing double was supplemented by further goals from Ian Armstrong and Craig Webb as Grange Athletic triumphed 4-3 against Mersey Royal.

In Saturday morning's Youth Subsidiary Cup competition, two goals from Dave O'Leary helped Maghull to a 3-2 result against New Brighton. Two-goal hot-shot Liam Doyle also caught the eye in Merseyside Police's 3-1 decision over Poulton Victoria.