NEWTON put a three-game losing sequence behind them and re-ignited their challenge for the Carlsberg West Cheshire League’s Division One title af- ter they posted a fine 2-0 result at Capenhurst Villa.

Efforts from Ged King and substitute Jamie Hurworth kept the Frankby outfit firmly in the frame for the championship they last won in 2004.

Fifth-placed Newton trail current leaders Mossley Hill Athletic by 11 points but have five games in hand on their rivals.

Meanwhile the leaders were indebted to goals from Ollie Sanderson and Tom McNamara for their hard fought 2-1 win against Helsby, who had Ian Cox on the mark, while reigning champions, South Liverpool kept their outside chances of a third consecutive title alive after Alex Woodcock and Gary Dunning both scored hat-tricks in the 6-0 eclipse of youngsters Cammell Laird 1907 Reserves.

A goal from Chester Nomads' Jack Degado was negated by a reply from Heswall’s Greg Drummond and there was jubilation for a second week running when long-suffering Mallaby emerged 2-1 victors at West Kirby with Darren Sutton and Ben Holmes on the scoresheet.

Jordan Griffiths scored the hosts' consolation.

Long-time leaders Rainhill Town continued to suffer and despite a goal from Ryan Burke it was visitors Redgate Rovers who profited, and consigned Town to their fourth defeat on the trot, Joe Walker (2), Ben Helme and Paul Leamey obliging in a superb 4-1 triumph.

Saturday's Division Two action saw Kirkby Town Railway elevated to third-place in the table following a 7-2 win against West Kirby's second string.

Doubles from Adam Campbell and Lee Wood were supplemented by further efforts from Mick Riley, Dean Kenny and Zak Ellison with Jack Brookes netting both replies for the visitors.

Respective scorers in Prescot Cables Reserves' 1-1 stalemate with South Liverpool Reserves, were Ashton Gibiliru and Dave Mee and a lone strike from Bootle Reserves' Dean Smith earned his side maximum spoils from the visit of Vauxhall Motors Reserves.

In Division Three's match of the day, leaders Rainhill Town Reserves stayed two points in credit but had to come from behind twice to salvage a point from their tussle with nearest rivals, Ellesmere Port Town.

An own-goal allied to a Callum Freeman effort was the visitors' contribution with Mark Leather and Jay Hamouda on target for Rainhill who last tasted defeat in August.

Third-placed Cheshire Lines have three games in hand on the leading duo and remained firmly on course for promotion when goals from Chris Cruickshanks, Andy Dickson, Jordan Scott and Nathan Midghall anchored them to a 4-1 victory over Upton AA Reserves.

Local rivals Chester Nomads savoured a better day after four goal Dale Harris left his calling card in Saturday's 6-3 win against Marshalls Reserves.

Further efforts from Sandro Maletta and Danny Brownlee completed the statistics.

Goals from James Moore, Joel Taylor, Andy Noonan and Terry Cotgrave were enough for Ashville Reserves to take the points against Neston Nomads Reserves who to their credit, made a game of it, and hit back via Ben Pearson (2) and Sean Lunt.

John Darkwah scored for bottom club Helsby Reserves but still finished on the losing side after Jack Pearson and Matty Price steered Redgate Rovers Reserves to a 2-1 result and despite a goal from Dean Nunn, Mersey Royal suffered an identical loss at the hands of Litherland Remyca Reserves who sealed the issue thanks to a goal apiece from Anthony Molloy and Karl Berquist.

Congratulations to Youth Division representatives Maghull Town who progressed to the semi-finals of the Liverpool City FA Youth cup after Pat Carney, Matt Flanagan and Charlie Cooney shared the goals in a 3-2 decision over Geneva.