Setting the pace at the top of the MSC Express West Cheshire League's FIrst Division are newly promoted Mersey Royal, who assumed pole position and safeguarded their hundred per cent record, following Saturday's 10-1 rout of Rainhill Town at the Wirral Tennis Centre.

A hat-trick from Dillon Thomas was supplemented by doubles from Leon Detlaff and Tom Morgan with singles from Lewy Willingham, Kieran Cartwright and Jack Ledsham, as Glynn Norman's outfit trumpeted their challenge.

Nearest rivals South Liverpool remained in pursuit and are also unbeaten, thanks to a 4-1 eclipse of Ellesmere Port Town, highlighted by a hat trick from Mason Nevitt.

Brad Williams was the other marksman with Owen Kelsey in reply for the visitors. Charlie Mann (3) and Tom Rowlands (2) shared the goals for Chester Nomads, but still finished on the losing side at Newton, who recorded a 6-5 result courtesy of efforts from Dom Coddington (3), Liam Smith, Ryan Beigan and Jackson Ellis.

Dave Baird, Dom Kelly and Kieran Moran made the scoresheet, as third placed Mossley Hill Ath. won 3-0 at Vauxhall Motors Res. and Maghull were indebted to goals from Wayne Smith (2) and Jack O'Leary for their 3-1 win against Marshalls.

A goal from Lewis Moynes helped Ashville to a 1-1 draw at Upton AA. Will Kent replying, while Connor Wright, Robbie McDonald and Tom Shaw obliged for Redgate Rovers in their 3-1 success against Prescot Cables Res.

New leaders in Division Two are Bootle St.Edmunds, who had four goal man of the match Mark Madden in top form in their 5-2 win against Mallaby. Matty O'Neill was the other scorer with Paul Ellison bagging both goals for Neil Pickering's side.

Second placed Heswall savoured a 1-0 result over Cheshire Lines with Robbie Williams finding the net and it was the same scoreline for West Kirby against South Liverpool Res.

Sid and Mike Lawrence were the scorers as Rainhill Town Res. beat Poulton Victoria 2-1. Ashville's second string scored via Joel Campbell only for his effort to be negated by a reply from Neston Nomads' Will Sara-Kelly.

Unbeaten Division Three leaders, Helsby, maintained their winning sequence, with Lee Turkington (3) and Greg Campbell (2) anchoring their side to an 8-0 victory over Ellesmere Port Town Res.

The Port's neighbours, Sutton Ath., fared better after beating Neston Nomads Res. 3-0 to register their first win of the season.

Callum Doyle, Tom Edwards and Lee Ludgate netted and it was celebration time for Heswall Res., who overcame Capenhurst Villa Res. 4-1, with Dan O'Halloran (2), Sam Saunders and Kieran Donoghue on the mark.

Saturday's Youth Division action saw Litherland Remyca Ath. romp home 7-0 against Bootle. Ethan Highton was a four goal hot-shot as the visitors made it two wins on the trot and a hat trick from Billy Eaglestone inspired second placed South Liverpool to a 9-2 triumph at Runcorn Town.

Current leaders, Mossley Hill Ath. stayed top on goal difference when goals from Joe McMahon, Alfie Saunders and Elliot Butler sparked a 3-0 win at Knowsley South.