MIDWEEK victories over Chester Nomads and Capenhurst Villa followed by Saturday's 2-1 eclipse of Mossley Hill Ath, which featured a goal apiece from Ryan Coles and Jamie Eaton, saw Mersey Royal up the ante in their bid for a first ever MSC Express West Cheshire League Division One title.

The current state of play is that leaders Ashville, who beat Capenhurst Villa 2-0 on Saturday thanks to efforts from Tommy Johnstone and Josh Maldon, head the table by three points from nearest challengers, the Royal, who remain in hot pursuit with two games in hand.

Heswall's 2-1 decision over basement outfit, Prescot Cables Res was confirmed by goals from Danny Dixon and Matty Morris while Ellesmere Port Town enhanced their chances of survival, after a Todd Reid strike helped his side to a 1-1 draw with Chester Nomads in midweek. Brandon Dickinson netted for the visitors.

Long-time Division Two unbeaten leaders Marine U23s were crowned deserved champions on Saturday when Tom Beckett and Darren Brannigan found the net in a 2-1 result over Rainford Utd.

Efforts from Lee (2) and brother Tom Turkington allied to an own goal, inspired third placed Helsby to a 4-2 win at Marshalls Res, while fourth-placed Mallaby stayed in touch after they romped home 5-0 against Haworth & Gallagher Bowl finalists, Mossley Hill Ath Res Jack Brown (2) Mike McLean (2) and Ellis Byrne were the marksmen.

Apart from Mersey Royal and Marine U23s the only other unbeaten record was forfeited in midweek after newly-crowned Division Three outfit Sutton Ath, who had two-goal Shaun Weaver on target, capitulated 4-2 to replies from South Liverpool 3rds Tom Feeley (2), Matt James and Rio Merrifield.

Saturday's Division Three action saw a raft of penalties awarded at West Kirby Res, who suffered a 5-3 defeat to Poulton Vics Res.

Peter Brown scored from the spot and was joined on the scoresheet by Tila Davies and Joe Stephenson for the home side, while a Kyle Bennett hat trick which included a spot kick, a Jacob McLoughlin penalty and an own goal secured the points for the visitors.

Ninety minutes failed to produce a goal between Chester Nomads Res and Ellesmere Port Town Res.

And a goal from Groves's Ryan Maxwell was negated by a reply from Heswall Res' Dan O'Halloran.

Basement outfit Maghull had cause for celebration in the Youth Division, after efforts from Jack Lemmens (3), Tom Harrison, Kieran Argent and Chris Grant anchored their side to a 6-4 decision over Runcorn Linnets, whose contribution came from Adam Moseley (2), Luke Smith and Jack Wheatley.