WEST Cheshire League Division One title favourites Newton moved ominously into second place in the table, four points adrift of leaders, Rainhill Town, with four games in hand, after efforts from Paul Carney (2) and Ross McDowell anchored the Frankby challengers to a 3-0 victory at relegation-threatened Marshalls.

Rainhill's title claims foundered, after they finished 2-2 with consistent performers, Richmond Raith Rovers.

At the other end of the table, West Kirby edged nearer the relegation abyss after three-goal Ricci Neill was joined on the scoresheet by Ryan Smith, Dylan McCallion and Danny Kelly as Ashville romped home 6-0.

Nathan Mapletoft's solitary strike earned Upton AA maximum returns from their visit to Neston Nomads and it was celebration time for Chester rivals, Chester Nomads, who had Jack Delgado and Jordan Davies on target in a 2-1 success at South Liverpool.

Craig Williams, Jimmy Eaves, Connor Barton and Frankie Ward were the respective marksmen, as Hale fought out a 2-2 stalemate with Vauxhall Motors Res.

Saturday's Pyke Cup semi-final between Mossley Hill Athletic and Ellesmere Port Town was settled in the Port's favour, 7-6 on penalties after the game had finished 1-1.

Saturday's Division Two action saw leaders Capenhurst Villa, inspired by a smart double from Steve Rowlands, eclipse third-placed Heswall and stay six points in credit at the top.

Nearest rivals Page Celtic overcame South Liverpool Res 4-0 while substitue Steve MeGarry stole the show, after his ten minute-hat-trick enabled fourth-placed Cheshire Lines to turn a 2-0 deficit against Mallaby into a 5-2 victory.

Jamie Pendleton struck three times in helping Rainhill Town Res to a 4-1 win against Prescot Cables Res and Dave Lynch followed suit with a hat-trick as Maghull Res won 5-0 at West Kirby Res.

In Division Three's match of the day an Amen Fakhr double won the day, as second-placed South Sefton Borough Res beat current pacesetters, Aintree Villa 2-0, and went level on top with the leaders from the same number of games played.

Third-placed Mersey Royal beat Marshalls Res 4-2 thanks to efforts from Jamie Leyland (2), Andy Rogers and Adam Smith while three-goal Lee Dermody was tormentor-in- chief as Poulton Royal posted a 7-0 win against Burscough Dynamo.

In the Youth Division, second-placed Lower Breck U17 cranked up the pressure on runaway leaders,

Bootle U18, with James Hammill, Jack Ward, Finn Sherlock, Vinnie Burrows and Louis White obliged in a 5-1 result at Newton U17.

Elsewhere, Marshalls U18 won 2-1 at West Krby U18, Litherland Remyca U18 beat Maghull U18 4-2 and Mossley Hill Ath.U18 drew 2-2 with Lherland Remyca U17.

The West Cheshire League is inviting applications for the post of honorary referees secretary for 2019/2020 season.

The successful applicant will be responsible for the appointment of assistant referees for Division One League and cup fixtures and the appointment of referees for Divisions Two and Three together with Youth Division League and cup games.

If you are interested, contact league chairman Les Watson (0151-638 7564 e-mail leswatson @talktalk.net) or acting league secretary Jose Damiao, (01244 383221 e-mail jose.damiao@btinternet.com).