IN the Wirral DFA Senior Cup first round, Go2 Day West Cheshire League Division One rivals, Ashville Res. and Mersey Royal locked horns at Villa Park.

Efforts from the host's Ant Gardner and Joe Ly were negated by replies from the visitor's Connor Doyle (2) and Ryan Coles resulting in a 3-3 stalemate. Penalties then decided the issue with last term's finalists, Mersey Royal going through 5-4. 

A goal from Higher Bebington Kelma's Andy Noonan was his side's contribution at Vauxhall Motors Res., who emerged 3-1 victors, courtesy of efforts from Jordan Deer, Thomas Hoather and Luke Wynne, while Newton enjoyed an easier passage, after they beat minnows, Shaftesbury YC 11-0.

Wirral DFA Amateur Cup 1st round action saw last season's finalists, Hooton, inspired by a Joel Whalley hat-trick and a smart double from Danny Cross,  account for Heswall U23s 8-1. Further goals from Steve Duckers, Chris Davies and Ben Lennon completed the scoreline with Lewis Bimpson in reply for Heswall.

Saturday's Division One action enabled Maghull to assume pole position after  Marcus Stewart(2) Harrison Worden, Darren Brannigan, Adam Hammill, Adam Peterson and Jack Murphy struck in a 7-0 rout of Helsby.

Previous leaders, Mossley Hill Ath., had Nathan Peet and Owen Cassidy on target, but capitulated 3-2 to replies from FC Bootle's Jacob Jones (2) and Tom Ward.

There was no stopping Heswall's Joe Ford ,whose four goal salvo anchored Heswall to a 7-0 win against basement outfit, Ellesmere Port Town. Jack Darlington and Chis McGowan were Heswall's other scorers with Tyler Mallett replying for the Port.

Efforts from Neil Roach (2) Yusuf Moshin (2) Alex Almond and Lewis Walsh set new unbeaten Division Two leaders, South Liverpool Res., up for a 6-0 result over Huyton Rovers, but despite goals from Paul Ellison, Joe Emery, Kian Hamm and Tom Edge, nearest rivals, Mallaby forfeited top spot after they finished 4-4 at a disciplined Marshalls Res., who scored through Alfie Williams, James Harper, Luc Haralambrous and Alex Ngunza.

Honours were shared after efforts from Runcorn Sports' Luke Cawley and Steve Rothwell were matched by replies from West Kirby's Owen Hollywood and Dave McDermott.

Division Three pacesetters, FC Kirkby, increased their advantage at the top to nine points,  when Ethan Highton (2), Brendan Rawcliffe and Charlie Bennet shared the goals in Saturday's 4-3 win at Helsby Res. who had Adam Harding (2) and Tom Brady on the mark.

Luca Tron netted for Runcorn Sports Res. but it was the hosts, West Kirby Res., who profited, Mick Mocha (2) and Kyle Bennett sparking a 3-1 result.

Third placed Chester Nomads Res. stayed in the promotion equation, after they triumphed 3-1 over Groves Ath. whose consolation goal was scored by Tom Anderson, while Rainhill Town, thanks to efforts from Cam Ramsay (2) Ian Hughes, Chris Sheehan and Jack Van Aston edged a 5-4 result at Frodsham Park JFC.

Great Sutton's 4-3 decision over Ellesmere Port Town U23's was confirmd by goals from John Skipsey, Tom Boulton, Lam Powell and Sonny Croft. The visitors answered through Scott Richardson,Tom Welch and seasoned campaigner, Nathan Mapletoft.

In the Youth Division, Callum French, Jude Francis, Tom Davis and George Kelly netted for Neston Nomads'  in their 4-0 result over Mossley Hill Ath., while respective marksmen in West Kirby Utd.'s 3-3 draw with third placed AFC Knowsley, were Juse Mottram, Lewis Greenhalgh, Tom Barratt, Danny Donnachie, Finn Taylor and Jack Wilson-Jones.