CLUBS representing West Cheshire League in the Cheshire County FA Amateur Cup had mixed fortunes as eight clubs safely negotiated the first round hurdle, but five others came a cropper.

Division One title challengers, Newton, proved too strong for Stoconians, and posted a 7-1 result, confirmed by doubles from Liam McDowell, Gerard King and Ryan Hunt with Ross McDowell also getting in on the act.

In contrast, bottom club, West Kirby, went through but were indebted to a solitary strike from Jack Brown, which saw them lower the flag of Egerton.

A brace of headers from Tommy Johnstone and another headed goal from Shaun Farrall were the talking points as Mallaby recorded a fine 3-0 victory at Wilmslow Albion, while Ross Waring, Louis Gorman and Jamie McColl hit the target, as Vauxhall Motors Res won 3-1 at Moore Utd.

Heswall's 4-2 decision over Cheadle Heath Nomads saw goals from Joe Ford (2), Adam Walker and Graham Williams but efforts from Adam Smith and Lewis Willingham were to no avail, as Mersey Royal went down 4-2 at home to Altrincham Youth.

Division Three rivals, Poulton Royal, had a better day and progressed, after Dean Brown, Jon Pomphrett and Anthony Corser found the net in Saturday's 3-0 eclipse of Higher Bebington Kelma.

Two goal hot-shot, Ryan Nicoll, anchored Ellesmere Port Town to a 4-1 success at Mellor.

A Jamie Easton effort and an own goal completed the scoring.

A penalty shoot-out proved to be Wirral SB's undoing after they lost 4-3 to Stockport Georgians and Ashville, Upton AA and Neston Nomads all had to return their cup final suits after they losing to Holmes Chapel Hurricanes, Blacon YC and Shaftesbury Youth Club respectively.

Division One action saw current leaders, Maghull, come unstuck at home to unbeaten third placed rivals, Mossley Hill Ath, despite a Mike Boyle penalty.

Replies from Ollie Sanderson and Paul Pearson sealed a 2-1 win for the visitors.

Consistent marksman, Jonathan Parkinson, weighed in with a double, as Richmond Raith Rovers emerged 3-1 victors from their trip to Redgate Rovers but South Liverpool's Joel Douglas went one better, with a hat trick in helping his side to a 3-2 verdict over Marshalls, who had Adam Moorcroft and Joe Connolly in reply.

Stuart Cornfoot netted for Hale but finished on the losing side as visistors Rainhill Town rallied to win 3-1, courtesy of a goal apiece from Colin Gannon, Paul Hynes and Dave Monteith.

Only one fixture took place in Division Two, and it was a profitable run out for Joe Gibiliru's Prescot Cables Res, who had Danny Wilson on the mark in a 1-0 triumph over Mossley Hill Ath Res.

Aintree Villa maintained their hundred per cent record in Division Three, the leaders beating Marshalls Res 4-2 with goals from Steve Andrews, Josh Cavanagh, Aaron Wilson and Tommy Jump.

An opportunist hat trick from Charlie Mann supplemented by a smart double from Tim Ashnrook steered nearest rivals, Chester Nomads to a 5-1 blitz of Burscough Dynamo, while Mike Bristow and Luke Jones obliged for third placed Heswall Res in their 2-0 result at Redgate Rovers Res.

With maximum returns from their first three starts, Bootle U18 are six points clear at the top of the Youth Division, and consolidated their position after Jake McKettrick (2), Liam Keenan and Cameron Grant scored in Saturday's 4-2 win at Maghull Youth.

Ben Jones was a two-goal marksman who inspired Mossley Hill Ath. Youth to a 5-2 result over Bootle Academy and Litherland Remyca Youth had cause for celebration, after they beat Newton Youth 2-0 with John Creegan and Tom Beckett on target.