NEWTON assumed pole position in the race for the West Cheshire League's Division One title and sentenced reigning champions South Liverpool to their fourth defeat of the season.

Two penalties from Gerard King were supplemented by further efforts from Leighton Smith, Ryan Beigan, James Law and Ross McDowell as the Frankby outfit posted a 6-2 result, with Cam Dalton and Jay Powell in reply for the visitors.

Hat-trick hero, John Ashton, called the shots, and was joined on the scoresheet by Tom McNamara and Callum Smith, as nearest rivals Mossley Hill Athletic stayed in contention, after they romped home 5-0 against Chester Nomads, while third-placed Redgate Rovers maintained interest, when two goal Craig Blackwell anchored them to a 3-1 victory at Neston Nomads.

Despite efforts from Tyler Smith (2) and Mike Reynolds, Ashville went down 4-3 at home to Richmond Raith Rovers who sealed the win, thanks to replies from Aiden Preston (3) and Jay O'Donnell.

A smart double from Ryan Nicoll set Ellesmere Port Town up for a 2-1 result at Marshalls and Hlale's Jimmy Eves followed suit with two goals in his side's 3-0 eclipse of bottom club, West Krby.

On target for Rainhill Town in Saturday's 3-1 win against Upton AA, were Chris Davidson, Lloyd Roberts and Craig Jones.

In Division Two's match of the day, second-placed Heswall went top, after efforts from Nana Enah and Adam Walker helped their side to a 2-0 verdict over previous leaders, Capenhurst Villa.

Mike Swindell (2) and Danny Mulville applied the finishing touches, as Cheshire Lines savoured a 3-1 win against Prescot Cables Res.

It was a family affair for Burscough Dynamo in Division Three, after brothers Colin, Paul and Dillan Bousique-Green found the net in a 3-3 stalemete with Mersey Royal.

The visitors were assured of a share of the spoils, after they hit back via Liam Driscoll, Adam Smith and Owen Ainscough.

Saturday's Haworth & District Bowl first round action saw Will McFerran score twice from the spot for Ashville Res, but his contribution was in vain after Maghull Res progressed when Paul Bennett, Jay Dooley and Sam Lawrenson netted in a 3-2 success.

Litherland Remyca Dev were 2-0 up inside the first seven minutes at Mallaby through Joe Tynan and Mark Barnes before Tom Kelly's side turned the game on its head and ran out 6-4 victors, with Ben Glover (3), Tommy Johnstone, Jacob McLaughlin and Joe Byrne on the mark.

Dave Moore (2) and Steve Daley hit the target for Page Celtic who triumphed 3-1 at West Kirby Res and it was celebration time for South Liverpool Res, who eliminated Mossley Hill Ath Res, with Curtis Cummins and Bobby Murphy obliging in a 2-1 victory.

Goals from Joe Croxford, Elliot Fagan and Andrew Appleton were enough as Rainhill Town Res beat Wirral SB 3-2. Adam Bagley and Jack McGrotty scored the visitors' consolations.

Wirral's reserve side also came to grief on the day, after they suffered a 1-0 defeat at Redgate Rovers Res, in the West Cheshire Shield first round, Jay Rowan scoring the winner.

Nick Warriner (2) and Joe Ryan hit the target as Marshalls Res went through, after winning 3-2 at Capenhurst Villa Res.

Dave Jackson was a two-goal star who shone for Poulton Royal in their comfortable 4-0 win against Heswall Res.

Efforts from Simon Andrews and Billy Mann proved decisive as Chester Nomads Res overcame Neston Nomads Res 2-1.

Unbeaten Youth Division leaders Bootle U18 afforded little mercy to Litherland Remyca Youth B and chalked up a 5-0 win, courtesy of efforts from Cameron Grant (2), Aiden Noon, James Francis and Jake McKettrick.

Lewis Ward (2), Dylan Jeffrey, Leon Atkins and Jack Rogers shared the goals as Vauxhall Motors Youth pulled off a 5-0 victory at West Kirby Youth.

Elsewhere, Marhalls Youth's 7-1 result at Bootle Accademy featured goals from James Craven (2), Louis Murphy (2), Alex McCumski, Chris Murphy and Steve Teare.