SOUTH Liverpool and nearest rivals Cammell Laird 1907 Reserves went head-to-head at Kirklands in a showdown which could decide the Carlsberg West Cheshire League’s Division One title.

It was unbeaten leaders South who went home the happie with a 1-1 stalemate, which kept them seven points clear at the top.

Second-placed Lairds, who have two games in hand, scored through James Clare with Gary Dunning replying for the visitors.

A solitary effort from Gary Jones was enough as third-placed Helsby bagged maximum points from their trip to Capenhurst Villa, and it was a similar storyline at Southport Trinity, where a second-half penalty from Gerard Mullen won it for seventh-placed Mallaby.

Nathan Mapletoft (2) and Mike Flavell scored as Upton AA pulled off a fine 3-0 victory at Mossley Hill Athletic, while a Wayne Smith effort and an own goal were enough as Hale won 2-0 at West Kirby.

At Blacon YC, Pete Munro and an own goal saw Vauxhall Motors Res. gain a 2-0 win and Newton cruised to a 5-1 victory over Ashville, Ged King (2) Danny Rixon, Danny Dunleavy and Jon Cassidy scoring.

Elsewhere, Dan Farrell and Dan Rickets were on target as Chester Nomads and Maghull finished 1-1.

In Division Two, Heswall’s hopes of a swift return to the top-flight were hampered after they lost 3-0 at home to title favourites Rainhill Town. Lee Thompson, Matt Dooling and Dave Monteith scoring.

That result strengthened second-placed Richmond MAGS’ promotion hopes after they beat Redgate Rovers by the same margin, Paul Goothwaite, Danny Powell and Richie King on the scoresheet.

At the other end of the table, long suffering Bebington Athletic had reasons to be cheerful after Kieran Hughes and Steve Forbes scored in Saturday’s 2-1 win of fellow strugglers, Marshalls. Kenny Gambo scored the consolation.

Despite a goal from Farshad Parvas, Maghull Reserves suffered a 2-1 defeat to Hale Res who sealed the win with replies from Jack Walker and Graham Walsh.

A smart double from Gateacre Village’s John Murphy was negated by efforts from Willaston’s Andy Noonan and Trevor Worsley, while two-goal Kynan Mason took the plaudits as Vauxhall Motors Res. won 2-1 against Prescot Cables Res.

Division Three promotion hopefuls Neston Nomads were indebted to a solitary strike from Lee Cairns, which sealed victory at fourth-placed St.Helens.

Second-placed Bootle Res. were held to a 1-1 draw at Ford Motors, but Heswall Res. toasted hat-trick hero Ross Pringle after their 3-1 victory at Marshalls Res.

Custys returned to winning ways in the Youth Division after Connor Carrol, Rhys Hardacre and Gerard Johnson scored in a 3-2 win over Litherland Remyca, who hit back through Josh Jessop (2).

Liam Vange-lde scored the only goal as Belfry Youth beat Ellesmere Port Town.

South Liverpool Youth progressed to the Liverpool CFA Youth Cup final after doubles from Vita Mbolokele and Alex Walsh saw them to a 4-0 win at Home & Bargain.

Opposition in the final will be provided by Maghull Youth, who saw Jacob Jones hit a hat-trick as they romped to a 7-0 rout of Redgate Rovers Youth.