Carlsberg West Cheshire League round-up with Ernie MacDonald

CAMMELL Laird Reserves, the only unbeaten outfit in the Carlsberg West Cheshire League, maintained their eight point advantage at the top of Division One, and highlighted their strength in depth, following Saturday's comfortable victory over Merseyside Police.

Goals by Kevin Bimpson, Kevin Thompson and Alex Bishop were enough to secure a 3-0 result, which keeps Laird a distance clear of the chasing pack.

Nearest rivals and reigning champions, Newton, scraped a 2-1 win at General Chemicals, thanks to goals from Mike Kissock and Mike Riley, while fourth placed Maghull continued their fine run, Jay Harrison, 2, and Steve Baccino applying the finishing touches in a superb 3-2 triumph at Vauxhall Motors Reserves. Gareth Drury and Phil Davies obliged for the Motormen.

Despite a goal from Darren McGuiness, West Kirby slumped 3-1 at home to Christleton, Mike Warrington, 2, and Paul Hallows finding the net for the Chester raiders. Carl Lamb and Steve Scallion were responsible for Ashville's goals in the Wallasey club's 2-1 win at Ellesmere Port.

New leaders in Division Three are Merseyside Police Reserves, who accounted for Capenhurst Villa Reserves 6-2, Tony O'Brien, 2, John Starkey, 2, Scott Jamieson and Vic Charles bagging the goals. A solitary strike from Paul Reay was enough for Bronze Social to earn the nod over Ellesmere Port Reserves, while free scoring Willaston top scored, Kevin Williams, 3, Karl Dunbar, 3, Lee Cairns , Tom Coan and Jimmy Hilditch all making the score sheet in the 9-1 rout of Blacon YC Reserves.

Ben Cole, Scott Houghton and Anthony Godrey were Shaftesbury's marksmen in their 3-1 eclipse of MBNA and a Jock Harrison treble inspired New Brighton Reserves to a 6-0 rout of Mersey Royal. Further efforts from Lee Hayden, 2, and Steve Woods completed the statistics.

In Saturday's West Cheshire Bowl first round, holders Capenhurst Villa safely cleared the first hurdle, Mark Ryan and Paul Stanley scoring in a 2-0 win at Blacon YC. But last term's beaten finalists, Heswall Reserves, came unstuck against New Brighton. Mike McGraa, Terry McNulty and Karl Graham netted for the home side, but New Brighton had the last laugh, after replies from Mike Vernon, Craig Dulson, Craig Griffiths and Paul Robinson steered them to a 4-3 success.

Strongly fancied Mond Rangers put their marker down with a 4-0 blitz of Helsby, with Mark Connor, Terry Ellams, Gary Lunt and Matty Johnson on target.

Sean Rooney, Ian Leyland and Tony Carroll left their calling cards as Poulton Victoria Reserves beat Ashville Reserves 3-1.

On the mark for FC Building Boards in their 3-0 defeat of MANWEB Reserves were Kevin Ward, 2, and Billy Sweeney. FC Pensby were grateful to Darren Owen, 2, Mark Irvine and Paul Gill for their contributions as Manor Athletic were dismissed 4-3.