A TWINKLE of light flickered at the end of the tunnel after West Kirby, recorded their first league win of the season.

Still propping up the rest of the West Cheshire League's Division One, the long-suffering Marine Park outfit had Matty Madden on target in Saturday's 1-0 eclipse of Marshalls and eroded the deficit on fellow strugglers, Chester Nomads, to nine points.

At the other end if the table, free-scoring Rainhill Town safeguarded their six-point lead at the top, when Stephen Melville (2), Craig Jones, Tyler Jeffries and Paul Haynes applied the finishing touches in a 5-0 result at Vauxhall Motors Reserves and it was celebration time for South Liverpool; Cam Dalton (3) and Mason Nevitt (2) anchoring the reigning champions to a 5-0 triumph at Chester Nomads.

Tom McNamara and Jack Leamey were the respective marksmen, as Mossley Hill Athletic finished 1-1 with Newton, while second-placed Maghull were indebted to efforts from Joe Peacock, Mike Boyle and Steve Williams which sealed a 3-1 win at Redgate Rovers.

Ellesmere Port Town were too good on the day for Hale and posted a 4-0 victory, courtesy of a goal apiece from Liam Ashton Ritchie McQuade, Jamie Easton and Kevin Fields.

Upton AA had Jordan Griffiths on the mark, but were on the receiving end at Ashville, who emerged 6-1 victors with goals from Ricci Neill (2), Connor Chaney, Sam Hunt, Danny Kelly and James Clare.

Joe McLoughlin and Anthony Court obliged for Richmond Raith Rovers but Neston Nomads gained a valuable point, after they hit back via Jack Lloyd and Callum Hulmston.

In Division Two, goals from Steve Rowlands and Corey Beavan were enough as leaders Capenhurst Villa edged a 2-1 decision over Ashville Reserves and opened up a five-point lead at the top.

Ben Glover returned to Mallaby's starting line up and scored twice along with Tommy Smith as the Claughton Villagers beat Mossley Hill Athletic Reserves 3-2 with Kieran Moran and Matty Richardson in reply for the visitors.

Honours were shared after a smart double from South Liverpool Reserves' John Gerrard was negated by replies from Cheshire Lines' Connor Porteus and Joey Esan, while West Kirby Res beat Wirral SB 2-1, thanks to goals from Jack Darlington and Nathan Thomas.

Maghull Res top-scored in the division; Dave Lynch (2) Sam Lawrenson (2), Declan Font and an own goal setting up a 6-1 result at Prescot Cables Res.

South Sefton Borough assumed pole position in the race for the Division Three title after they edged a narrow 3-2 decision at Burscough Dynamo, confirmed by goals from Alex McNab (2) and Daniel Boulger.

A five-goal salvo from Marshalls Res' Jake Skyner sank Ellesmere Port Town below the waterline with Jake Smith (3), Eddie Hawthorne and Elliot Muse also finding the net in a 10-0 rout.

Peter Silcock was another five-goal star who shone for Litherland Remyca U18 in their 5-2 success at Lower Breck U17 in the Youth Division.

Owen Forrester and Alex Moffatt scored as Maghull U18 beat Bootle Academy, while 90 minutes failed to produce a goal between Litherland Remyca U17 and second-placed Vauxhall Motors U18.