Ashville, West Cheshire League champions of 2012, opened up a four-point lead at the top, after two-goal Josh Maldon and Ben Greenop shared the goals in a decisive 3-0 result at Rainhill Town, writes Ernie McDonald.

Unbeaten nearest rivals, Mersey Royal, netted through Liam Driscoll and Kieran Cartwright but forfeited ground for the second week running, following a 2-2 finish with third-placed South Wirral outfit Capenhurst Villa, who secured a point thanks to replies from Ryan Nicoll and Steve Rowlands.

At the other end of the table, Ellesmere Port Town's bid to avoid relegation received a timely boost, when efforts from Joe Hayes (2), Ashley Watling and Tom Merrill anchored their side to a 4-3 result over fellow strugglers Aintree Villa.

Vauxhall Motors Res. suffered their heaviest defeat of the season, following a 7-0 reversal at the hands of Maghull, who celebrated the victory with goals from Jay Hooper (3), Charlie Taylor, Robbie McDonald, Nick Kerr and Connor Rankin.

Division Two pace-setters, Marine U23s - with goals from Kyle Campbell (2), Harrison Worden and Darren Brannigan - posted a 4-0 victory at Runcorn Sports and as a result, went three points clear at the top.

Promotion rivals, Litherland Remyca Res., scored through Kieran Hughes, Jamie Alty and John Graham, but replies from Will Ward (2) and Kieran Moran assured visitors Mossley Hill Ath. Res. a share of the spoils.

A Shaun Weaver hat trick was supplemented by an effort from Matty Hall, as Division Three leaders, Sutton Ath. eclipsed nearest rivals Runcorn Sports Res., 4-1 and raced six points clear at the top.

It was a day to remember for Capenhurst Villa Res.' Matty Hickman, whose four-goal salvo inspired his side to a 5-0 rout of Aintree Villa Res. A further effort from Joh Britton capped off a dominant performance.

Ryan Maxwell, Jack Bond and Keanan Butler found the net for South Wirral rivals Groves, who overcame next door neighbours Ellesmere Port Town Res 3-2. The visitors had John Skipsey and Jake Thornton in response.

Respective goalscorers in Neston Nomads' 3-3 nail-biter with Mersey Harps were Joe Payne, Ollie Dutton, Connor and a hat-trick from the visitors' Thomas McGreevey.

Youth Division leaders, Vauxhall Motors, had to rely on a single strike from Callum Hill to get the better of Pouton Vics and remain seven points clear of the chasing pack, led by South Liverpool whose 6-4 triumph at Mossley Hill Ath. saw efforts from Billy Eaglestone, Tom Evans, Jack Burke, Lucas Rogers, Jamie Kilcourse and Lewis Walsh, with Elliot Butler, with Ishy Asagaard (2), Harry McLeod and Jack Boden netting for the hosts.

At Harrison Park, Poulton Royal - thanks to efforts from Ryan Slater, Tommy Carroll, Ben Hawitt and Alex Lowe - progressed to the second round of the West Cheshire Shield, after they overcame Wallasey neighbours Poulton Vics Res. 4-1. Dylan Doyle obliged for the visitors.