THE weather once again played havoc with local amateur football fixtures, but failed to dampen the spirits of aptly-named Carlsberg West Cheshire League Division Three leaders Rainhill Town who kicked for home in the run-in to the title.

Saturday's 2-1 eclipse of nearest rivals Ford Motors was confirmed by efforts from Callum Lynch and Matty Dooling, and saw Town extend their advantage at the top to 13 points. Terry Keenan bagged Motors' consolation.

Elsewhere, in Division Three, Danny Murphy and Charlie Butterworth were the respective scorers, as Hale Res. battled out a 1- 1 stalemate with Christleton Reserves.

Despite a goal from Gerrard King, Newton remained in the Division One relegation equation after they were humbled 5-1 at Mossley Hill Athletic

Mark Owens, Sean Allcock, Danny Rigby, Paul Pearson and Callum Holmes celebrated with a goal apiece as the hosts climbed to third place in the table.

Blacon YC's downward spiral was arrested thanks to a 2-2 draw with Vauxhall Motors Reserves.

Ross Broadbent and Jamie Rogers obliged for Blacon, with Alex Clare and Mark Head in reply for the visitors.

In Division Two, Gateacre Village assumed pole position after they emerged 4-3 victors following an action-packed episode at West Kirby Reserves which left the Marine Park outfit deeper in relegation trouble.

Carl Williams struck twice and was joined on the score sheet by Mike Bowe for Kirby, but it was the visitors who profited and went a point clear thanks to replies from Kevin Dickinson, Scott Willis, Ian Lewis and Kieran Owens.

Spare a thought for Maghull Reserves’ Mike Boyle, who scored a fine hat-trick but still finished on the losing side after Heswall Reserves hit back and won 4-3, with Nathan Millington, Chris Kennedy, Andy Brown and Gordon Harrison on target.

Yet another 4-3 finish saw Mossley Hill Athletic Reserves take the honours after Dan Smiley, Phil Duncan, Cameron McGann and Graham Grady found the net in Saturday's victory at Redgate Rovers. Jake Connolly, Ben Holme and Graeme Hill netted for the home side.

Bottom club Mersey Royal suffered their 15th defeat of the season after they went down 2-0 at home to Bebington Athletic.