Carlsberg West Cheshire League (From Wirral Globe)

Carlsberg West Cheshire League

9:44am Wednesday 20th March 2013 in Sport

Carlsberg West Cheshire League

By Ernie McDonald

CAMMELL Laird Reserves were the only side in the top six to win on Saturday and as a result the Shipbuilders upped anchor and cruised six points clear in the race for the Carlsberg West Cheshire League's Division One title.

The leaders posted a 3-1 win over reigning champions Ashville thanks to efforts from Jonathan Atkinson, Lewis Morgan and Adam Lea, and had further cause for celebration, with the news that nearest rivals West Kirby had capitulated to a solitary effort from Upton AA's Nathan Mapletoft.

Honours were shared after goals from Chester Nomads' John Cadwallader and Kieran Smith were negated by replies from Alex Clare and Kirk McMurray, as fourth-placed Vauxhall Motors Reserves picked up a crucial point on their travels, and the spoils were also divided after a double from Southport Trinity's James Doyle was cancelled out by a two-goal blast from Christleton's Adam Wilson.

Bottom club Ellesmere Port had Anthony Lynch, Liam Loughlan and Sean Crosbie on target but were second best at Mossley Hill Athletic, who savoured a 7-3 result highlighted by hat-tricks from Ben Backley and Kurt Sherlock.

Maghull secured three priceless points in their battle to avoid the drop after they beat Newton 2-0, with goals from Jack McDowell and Brian McIlroy.

In Division Two, leaders South Liverpool were given a wake up call, after they trailed 3-1 to goals from Marshalls' Chris Muies, Charlie Asiene and Craig Robins, before goal-machine Alex Woodcock came to the rescue. His hat-trick inspired a 5-3 victory which increased South's advantage at the top to nine points.

Willaston scored through Jack Horrocks, Jamie Gardiner and Peter Rutter, in an excellent contest with Mallaby, but it was the visitors who profited 4-3, courtesy of a John Hedges hat-trick and a penalty from strike partner Gerard Mullen.

Respective marksmen in Bebington Athletic's 1-1 stalemate with Manor Athletic were Mark Gray and Ian Hobday, while West Kirby Reserves eased their way clear of the relegation zone after Stewart Jackson obliged with both goals in his side's 2-0 eclipse of Mersey Royal.

Division Three title favourites Gateacre came unstuck for only the second time this season when they were beaten 3-1 by Capenhurst Villa Reserves.

Matty Kavanagh, Damien McGinnigle and Phil Quillam made the score sheet for Cape, with Jamie Bray in reply for the visitors.

Third placed Widnes Town were helped to a 2-2 draw with Hale Reserves courtesy of a goal apiece from Frazer Ablett and Joe Brizell, and a smart double from Ben Crossley was supplemented by a goal from Zak Smyth, as Bebington Athletic triumphed 3-2 at Christleton Reserves.

Neston Nomads top-scored with a 5-1 rout of Upton AA Reserves. Mark Noakes, Nick Jones, Lee Cairns, Rob Cotterill and Lewis Clark netted for the winners, and Matt Crank bagged the visitors' consolation.

Congratulations to Marshalls Reserves who progressed to the Liverpool County FA Intermediate Cup final after doubles from Andy Iniabere and Ivan Jenkins clinched Saturday's 4-2 victory over Devonshire.

And it was celebration time for Redgate Rovers after they won 5-4 on penalties against Chester Nomads Reserves in their hard-fought Complete Focus Shield semi-final.

In the H & WC Youth competition, Gateacre Youth and Vauxhall Motors Youth posted big wins over Halton RBL All Stars 95/96 and Brookvale Utd respectively.