NEWLY-crowned Carlsberg West Cheshire League Youth Division champions Mersey Royal Youth continued to punch above their weight afterovercoming open-age competition for the fourth time this season on their way to lifting the Wirral and District FA’s Junior Cup at the first time of asking.

Opponents Birkenhead Town relinquished their four-year hold on the trophy after striker Ryan Biegan headed the only goal on 73 minutes in Good Friday’s final.

On the domestic scene, Maghull assumed leadership of Division One thanks to a 7-0 rout of Cammell Laird 1907 Reserves.

Brad Smart scored five with Tom Foley and Paul Keenan also on target, while nearest rivals Vauxhall Motors thrashed Blacon YC 5-1 in midweek.

Three points adrift of the leaders are strongly fancied reigning champions South Liverpool, who signalled their intent after Tony Sayer, Cam Dalton and Gary Dunning netted in the 3-0 win over Capenhurst Villa.

Form side Upton AA netted via Nathan Mapletoft, Luke Finch and Lee Guiardo but suffered their first defeat in 11 outings after they capitulated 4-3 to replies from Rainhill Town’s Colm Lynch (3) and Sam Gifford.

Goals from Tom McNamara, Owen Cassidy, Dave Byrne, Yusuf Malik and a stunning strike from Luke Wynne led Mossley Hill Athletic’s to a 5-1 victory on Saturday over Mallaby who hit back via John Brunt, while Helsby’s 3-1 win at fellow strugglers Heswall lifted them off the bottom.

With four games remaining Division Two leaders Hale Reserves drew 3-3 with third-placed title favourites Richmond Raith Rovers, who equalised in the dying seconds through Paul Gouthwaite.

That enabled second-placed Redgate Rovers to enhance their promotion claims after they overcame Prescot Cables Reserves 4-1, courtesy of a goal apiece from Dave Halsall, Sam Corlett, Craig Blackwell and Jonathan Fell.

Fourth-placed Neston Nomads, stayed in contention and were indebted to goals from Chris Kennedy, Dean Jones and John Lloyd for Saturday’s 3-1 triumph over Kirkby Town Railway, while Maghull Reserves ran out 3-0 against Willaston with Mark Madden (2) and Jay Steele on the mark.

Already through to two cup finals Ashville followed up Tuesday’ 2-1 victory over Willaston with a 3-2 success over Vauxhall Motors Reserves confirmed by efforts from Wes Hines (2) and Paul Linfield.

Division Three leaders Bootle Reserves pulled three points clear at the top, after efforts from Jackson Ellis (4) Anthony Sneddon, Zak Adeboya, Helder Lopez and Anthony Rigby set them up for an 8-0 win against Ellesmere Port Town.