IT was a case of "so near yet so far" for all the CWFL clubs who took part in the Cheshire FA Amateur Cup First Round at the weekend.

Championship side Princes Villa held West Cheshire One leaders to a 4-4 draw after full-time but succumbed to penalties losing 7-6.

Jay Horan, Jake Stinton, Graeme Davidson and Ryan Primrose were the Princes scorers.

Danny Evans (2), Tom Berry and Owen Wheeler were all on target for Upton JFC but they went down 5-4 to Broadheath Central.

Shaftesbury Youth also lost on penalties 9-8.

Their game with Willaston ended 2-2 after full time with Lee Griffiths and Ian McGraa scoring for the Shafts.

Christleton put up a good game against Altrincham Reserves, finally going down 3-0 to the Cheshire League side.

In league action Ellesmere Port FC move into second place of the CWFL Queensferry Sports Premier Division after a 5-0 win over Helsby Reserves, thanks to goals from Liam Smith, Ritchie Feightman, Lewis Fearon, Paul Dunleavy and Joe Whalley.

Josh Camy and Adam Reid scored a brace each for Cestrian Alex as they drew 4-4 with Blacon Youth FC Reserves.

Adam Langley, Trey Lattie (2) and Joe Thomson were the Blacon scorers.

FC Duddon remain aloft of the CWFL Olympic Trophies Championship after a hard-fought 2-1 win over Shaftesbury Youth Reserves thanks to goals from Harry Huxtable and Tom Evans.

Craig Kenyon fired home for Shafts.

Chester Nomads III go second after they drew 2-2 with Upton JFC Youth.

Nomad's scorers were Macaulay Salter and Jared Bieber with Joe Muir and James Lalley replying for Upton.

AFC Park North go third after their 5-3 win away to Orange Athletic with goals coming from Adam Bagley (4) and Adam Doyle.

Iain Thomas (2) and Tom Wilkinson were the Orange marksmen.

Hoole Roves, Shan Gillan, Paul Joyner and Nick Matthew had a great 3-2 win over Unitor, Carl Hamm and Vinnie O'Toole their scorers.

Steve Finlay (3) and Josh Leach both scored for Hoole Rangers but it was not enough as they went down 5-4 to Crossway who had Mark Goldthorpe, Greg Campbell, Matty Leedham and Paul Seddon (2) on the scoresheet.

The CWFL Tarvin Precision Vets Division Two got under way this week.

Ellesmere Port Town FC Vets put in a strong performance to beat Hartford FC Vets 4-1 with goals from Phil Evans (3) and Ben Billington.

Dan Butler and Dave Thomas combined for Nags Head Bunbury FC Vets in their 2-1 win over Dee Rangers FC Vets.

Gareth Gerrard and an own goal gave Frodsham Park FC Vets a 2-0 win over FC Vaults Vets while Ashton FC Vets beat Crossway Vets 4-2.

Crossway goals came by the way of Balazs Darnoi and Leonardo Mateus.

The CWFL Flexi 11s midweek football leagues will be kicking off in September.

This year it will be running divisions on Monday and Friday nights covering venues at Blacon High School, Ellesmere Port Sports Village, Vauxhalls Sports Club, Woodchurch Leisure Centre, Orford Warrington 3G and Moss Farm in Northwich.

There are a limited number of places available at a couple of the venues.

If you would like further information about the CWFL Flexi 11’s or would like to register a team please contact Paul Graham on 07891 537116 or email pgraham114@aol.com.