NEWTON marched on relentlessly towards the Carlsberg West Cheshire League's Division One title after emerging 3-2 victors from a close encounter with Vauxhall Motors in midweek.

On Saturday they rubber-stamped their claim by putting reigning champions South Liverpool to the sword.

The 5-1 rout of South featured efforts from Ross McDowell, Gerard King, Joe Walsh, James Murray and Dom Coddington and saw Lee Kissock's men move to within three points of leaders, Rainhill Town, with six games in hand.

Efforts from Liam Ryder, Mark Leather and Sam Gifford were enough, as Rainhill Town won 3-1 at Helsby, Reece Conlon replying, but fourth-placed Maghull missed an opportunity, after a goal from John Purcell was negated by a an equaliser from West Kirby's James Law.

Free-scoring Richmond Raith Rovers stormed home 8-3 against Capenhurst Villa, thanks to goals from Aiden Preston (3), Jonathan Parkinson (2), Danny Powell (2) and Colyfa Kamara. Kevin Fields, Lee Ludgate and Ryan Nicholl netted Cape's consolations.

Jack Clark and Ben Greenop struck for Vauxhall Motors, who eclipsed Mossley Hill 2-1. Mossley hit back via Ed Simon.

Division Two leaders Ashville were indebted to a Sam Hunt double for their 2-0 success at Kirby Town Railway but nearest rivals Marshalls stoked0up their title challenge, after a four-goal salvo from Lucas Porquet sank Vauxhall Motors Reserves.

Further efforts from Ali Asgari, Clinton Ungi and Wade Maxwell completed the 7-0 scoreline.

Despite a fine double from Marcus Kavanagh, Southport Trinity found Neston Nomads' Luke Blondell too hot to handle, the visitors' striker bagging seven goals in his side’s 11-2 triumph.

Chris Kennedy (2) Dean Jones and Paul Ellison also found the net.

Prescot Cables Reserves beat Willaston 4-0 courtesy of efforts from Joey Gibilir (2) Ryan Pickles and Charlie Wilson and it was celebration time for Hale, who won 3-1 at West Kirby Reserves with efforts from Stuart Cornfoot (2) and Lewis Ruddock.

Division Three leaders Rainhill Town Reserves went five points clear at the top after efforts from Arthur Clement and Albie Davidson secured a 2-0 result at Neston Nomads Reserves.

Rainhill’s cause was further enhanced, after nearest rivals Ellesmere Port Town finished 2-2 with fourth-placed Cheshire Lines.

Matt Irlam’s solitary effort anchored third-placed Capenhurst Villa Reserves to a valuable win over Redgate Rovers Reserves, while Ashville Reserves top-scored - John Pomfret (3), Andy Noonan (2) and Stuart Hardman (2) doing the damage in Saturday's 10-0 blitz of luckless Helsby Reserves.

Steve Latham and Evan Morris scored for City of Liverpool Reserves but it was visitors Mersey Royal who profited after winning 3-2.

Liam Van Gelder bagged the game's only goal as Litherland Remyca Reserves beat Cammell Laird 1907 DVLPMNT, while Upton AA Reserves finished 1-1 with Marsahalls Reserves' Sam Spidgeon and Dan Grace the goalscorers.