ONCE again adverse weather conditions decimated the fixture programme and in the battle to avoid relegation from the Go2Day West Cheshire League's Division One, only five points now separate the bottom seven clubs.

Ellesmere Port Town saw their chances of survival boosted after they secured South Wirral bragging rights over fellow strugglers, and local rivals, Vauxhall Motors Res. A Todd Reid double, allied to an effort from James Sparrow clinched a 3-2 victory over the Motormen who hit back via Wade Owens and Adentuji Ugundeji.

Heswall earned a precious point following a 0-0 stalemate with Helsby while basement outfit, Litherland Remyca Res., celebrated their third win of the season when Elliot Taylor, Sam Kearney, Anthony Griffith and Harry Woledge applied the finishing touches in Saturday's 4-1 decision over Chester Nomads. Brandon Dickinson bagged the visitor's consolation.

On Friday evening, third placed challengers, FC Bootle, maintained interest following a 2-0 win over Aintree Villa, confirmed by a goal apiece from Karl Bergkvist and Jacob Jones.

In Division Two, despite a goal from Kevin Edwards, bottom club Huyton Rovers suffered a 5-1 defeat at at the hands of Maghull Res.

 Saturday's Division Three action saw FC Kirkby, inspired by a Brendan Rawcliffe hat trick, assume pole position in the race for promotion, after beating Ellesmere Port Town U23's 8-1. Doubles from Danny Downes and Charlie Bennett together with an effort from James Ludgate completed the score line. The visitors had Jack Baxter on target.

Four goal John Skipsey left his calling card as Great Sutton accounted for Frodsham Park JFC 5-0.  Joe Stephenson also made the scoresheet for the victors.

On the domestic cup scene, free scoring Division One title contenders, Maghull, made light of their Pyke Cup second round clash with Marshalls and posted a 6-0 result courtesy of efforts from Darren Brannigan(3) Harrison Worden, John Holmes and Levi Adebo.

Mallaby's bid to retain the Haworth & Gallagher Bowl foundered after they went down 4-2 at West Kirby. The hosts stole a march on the holders when goals from Harvey Robinson, Tom Gray and Joel Kelly inside the first 11 minutes put the Mariners firmly in the driving seat.

After the break, a goal from James Fee reduced the deficit before Jason Bull restored the balance. A late goal from Jack Brown added a little respectability to the scoreline. West Kirby will now face the winners of the Mossley Hill U23's v South Liverpool Res. tussle in the semis.

In the other quarter final, goals from Joel Whalley (2), Matty Redmond and Liam Smith anchored  Hooton to a 4-2 result over Higher Bebington Kelma who had Charlie Fearon and Tom Byrne on the mark. Runcorn Sports now await Hooton in the last four.