THE weather took a heavy toll on Saturday, as no less than seventeen Carlsberg West Cheshire League fixtures were postponed due to unfit playing surfaces.

On a positive note, one game which did take place, was at Kirklands, where Division One outfit, Cammell Laird Reserves, joined Vauxhall Motors Res. in the Cheshire FA Amateur Cup semi-finals, after they took the scalp of Cheshire Association visitors, Knutsford.

Hero of the hour for the Shipbuilders, was Ben Holmes, whose double strike anchored Lairds to a 2-0 victory.

With just four minutes on the clock, the visitors conceded a free kick which was partially cleared, and fell invitingly for Holmes, who opened the scoring after he rifled home an unstoppable effort from 20 yards.

Knutsford, to their credit, enjoyed the majority of possession, but were unable to breach a resilient Lairds rearguard, marshalled superbly by Liam Salmon and Kyle Jones.

The visitors continued to press for an equaliser but against the run of play and with 20 minutes from time, it was all over.

Josh Hughes won a corner, and the resultant flag kick was half cleared to Holmes reacted quickest and sealed the issue in style.

The Capenhurst Villa v Ashville tie was postponed for the second week in succession, and weather permitting, will now kick off this Saturday at Ashville.

Division One leaders, Maghull, recorded their 19th win from 22 starts and as a result, extended their advantage at the top to 21 points.

On Saturday, the leaders entertained lowly Heswall at Old Hall Field, and although the visitors gave it their best shot, it was the hosts who once again profited, and celebrated a narrow 2-1 victory, courtesy of goals from Mike Boyle and Steve Williams. Andy Brown was Heswall's marksman.

After a shaky start to the season, Southport Trinity maintained their improvement, and were elevated to eighth place in the table, after they ground out a 2-1 decision over fourth placed challengers, Mossley Hill Ath.

Tom Hughes and Callum Kelly were the men on target for Trinity, with Tomy McNamara in reply for the visitors.

In Division Three, Ford Motors' promotion drive went into reverse, after they suffered a 5-1 home defeat to eighth placed Kirkby Town Railway, who chugged to victory with goals from Jack Walker (2), Dean Kenny, Glen Lamb and Jay Murphy. Chris Cottington was on the mark for Motors.

Matt Dooling merits a special mention, after his seven goal blast inspired leaders, Rainhill Town, to a 13-0 blitz of Belfry, which enabled his side to pull four points clear at the top.

Dave Montieth (2), Elliot Fagan (2), Dan Leather and Colin Lynch also made the score sheet.

South Liverpool Youth also ran riot in the Youth Division, and posted an 8-1 win against Maghull Youth.

Doubles from Jordan McGowan and Mike Davies were supplemented, by further efforts from Joe Preston, Dave Mee, Alex Walsh and Alex Griffiths. Darryl Morgan netted Maghull's consolation.

Mallaby Youth's 4-1 eclipse of Newton Youth was confirmed by efforts from Connor Cavanagh, Connor Irwin, Tom Flett and John Whittaker.