ELLESMERE Port Town's debut season in the West Cheshire League's Division One has seen the South Wirral newcomers firmly established and, with an impending Cheshire County FA Amateur Cup semi-final on the horizon, their position is very much on the up.

On Saturday, when the majority of fixtures fell victim to the weather, The Port took advantage of Redgate Rovers' 4G playing surface and posted their eighth win of the season.

A Jamie Easton double and an effort from Ryan Nicoll anchored them to a 3-1 victory. Robbie McDonald bagged the hosts' consolation.

Local rivals Neston Nomads had Nathan Saunders on target, but capitulated 3-1 at home to Mossley Hill Athletic who replied via Tom McNamara, Dave Kelly and Sean Harrison.

That result elevated the Liverpool challengers to second place in the table, a point behind current pacesetters, Rainhill Town.

In Division Two, second-placed Heswall forfeited two points in their bid to make an immediate return to the top flight, after they were held 3-3 at Rainhill Town Res.

Luke Garvey, Joe Croxford and Alex McMillan netted for Rainhill while Paul Lindfield, Joe Ford and Scott Connolly obliged for the visitors.

That scoreline enabled third-placed Page Celtic to take closer order in the race for promotion and, inspired by a Dean Shacklock double, they eclipsed Cheshire Lines 4-2.

Further efforts from Jack Watts and Andy Holding completed the scoring with Matty Hints and Ian Bold scoring for Lines.

Sam Hunt struck three times and was joined on the scoresheet by Andy Cook as Ashville Res. celebrated a 4-2 win against West Kirby Res, who hit back via Jack Darlington and Connor Egan.

Runaway Youth Division leaders Bootle U18 suffered their first defeat of the season when they were unlocked by a solitary strike from Lower Breck U17's Bobby Walsh.

Goals from Newton U17's Riley Jones and Reece O'Neill failed to prevent their side from going down 4-2 at Bootle Academy U18's Kieran Arnold, Jadel Musanhu, Leon Bckwith and Matty Evans found the net for the winners.

The West Cheshire League invite applications for the post of honorary referees secretary for season 2019/20.

The successful applicant would be responsible for the appointment of Assistant Referees for Division One League and Cup games and for the appointment of referee for divisions two and three, together with youth division league and cup games.

If you are interested, contact League Chairman, Les Watson on 0151 638 7564, or e-mail leswatson@talktalk.net 

You can also contact acting honorary secretary Jose Damiao on 01244 383221 or by e-mailing jose.damiao@btinternet.com.