NEWLY-promoted FC Kirkby assumed pole position in the race for promotion form the Go2Day West Cheshire League's Division Two last Monday (August 5), after they achieved maximum returns from their first two starts.

Danny Downes, Bryan Collins and Sean Davies found the net in a 3-1 win at Aintree Villa Reserves, who had Josh Tester in reply, writes Ernie McDonald.

Cam Meadows, Nate Jones and Calum Spence shared the scoring duties for Neston Nomads, but it was the visitors, Higher Bebington Kelma who profited via a 4-3 scoreline.

In contrast, neither net billowed after Mossley Hill Ath. U23s and Marshalls Res finished 0-0.

The local derby between Runcorn Sports Res and Helsby Res saw efforts from the hosts' Jake Hill and Zach Comer overhauled by replies from Helsby's Anthony Collings, Tom Brady, Tommy Loyden and Ryan White.

Elsewhere, Hooton got their first win on the board, after they emerged 3-2 victors at Chester Nomads Res.

In Division Three, Alex Butterworth struck three times and was joined on the scoresheet by two goal Dean Jones, as Neston Nomads U23's romped home 5-1 at Great Sutton. Alfie Davies netted for the home side and there was jubilation for Capenhurst Villa Res, who eclipsed Shaftesbury 4-1 with goals from Gabe Kwateng, Sam Cooper, Charlie Bell and Ethan Jenkins.The visitors responded through Alfie Naylor.

Sutton Rangers were indebted to an effort from Alex Morgan and an own goal for their 2-1 result at Christleton, who had Tom Fisher on the mark.

Jayden Jones bagged the game's only goal as Cammell Laird 1907 U23's took all three points from their trip to West Kirby Res, but Max Percival's double failed to prevent Willaston from going down 3-2 to replies from Heswall U23s' Thomas Davies, Rhys Navis and James Hawkins.

Following a disappointing opening day defeat, Newton re-ignited their challenge for the Division One title on Tuesday, August 6, when goals from Asnafi Shamari, Ross McDowell, Alex Stranach and Danny Bulayima anchored them to a 4-1 result at newcomers, AFC Knowsley, who scored through Rob Ablewhite.

A smart double from Ben Summers guided Ellesmere Port Town to a welcome 2-0 victory at Chester Nomads, but goals from Kieran Donoghue, Suphot Thiamdong and Dan Duvall proved insufficient as Vauxhall Motors Res went down 4-3 at Heswall. Christian Lewis, Luke Naylor, Ben Ryan and Dean Nunn all made the scoresheet for the Gayton Park outfit.

The Division Two derby clash between South Sefton Borough and Maghull Res. went in favour of the visitors, who had Jordan Holmes and Jason Jeffries on target in a 2-1 triumph. Josh Panther scored for the second game on the trot for Borough.

Division One pacesetters, FC Bootle, posted a 3-2 win at Aintree Villa on Wednesday (August 7) courtesy of efforts from Jamie Alty, Jacob Jones and Dylan Westerside and that result kept their side in top spot. Liam Van Gelder and Louis Yool replied for the hosts, while Capenhurst Villa stayed level on points with the leaders, after Ellis Williams netted the game's only goal to edge victory over Runcorn Sports.

After being involved in a Division One relegation battle for the majority of last season, hats off to Ellesmere Port Town who were able to look down on the rest of the Division, after humbling newcomers, AFC Knowsley on Friday (August 9). Doubles from Dion George and Matty Fraser were supplemented by further efforts from Ben Summers, Kai Philpott, Ollie Welch and Todd Reid, as the Port won 8-0 and recorded their second win of the new campaign.

A 1-0 victory at Heswall, confirmed by a goal from Cam Clark was good enough as Chester Nomads clinched their first win, while in Division Two, a Hakeem Munns strike proved consolationary as Mossley Hill Ath U23's capitulated 2-1 to replies from Runcorn Sports Res.' Mike Martin and Owen Wright.

FC Bootle maintained their 100% record and reclaimed top spot in Division One at the weekend, when goals from Joe Tynan and Jordan Dilworth secured a 2-0 result at Helsby.

Reigning champions, Mossley Hill Ath eclipsed Runcorn Sports 3-0 - thanks to efforts from Ben Jones, John O'Sullivan and Paul Pearson - while last term's Division Two champions, South Liverpool Res., sank to bottom spot, after going down 4-2 to Newton despite efforts from Amr Badhawi and Habib Zebida. On target for the visitors were Danny Bulayima (2) Ross McDowell and Paul Williams.

Louis Yool netted for Aintree Villa before an own goal saw Litherland Remyca Res. claim share of the points. Kierran Donoghue scored Vauxhall Motors Res.' consolation in a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Marshalls, whose marksmen were Jack Boden (2) Jack Ward and Joe McGowan.

Unbeaten Rainhill Town struck through Will Grace (2) and Richie Hagan and went fourth in the table after they overcame Capenhurst Villa 3-0.

With maximum returns to date from their first three outings, FC Kirkby sit atop Division Two and on Saturday were indebted to a Danny Downes hat trick which sealed a 3-1 decision over Hooton who hit back via Joel Whalley.

Free scoring Josh Panther pounced with a first half double to put South Sefton Borough in the driving seat against third placed Mallaby but inspired by replies from Fenton Cavanagh (2) Leighton Clarke and Jack Ireland , the visitors turned a 2-0 deficit into a 4-2 triumph.

Cammell Laird 1907 Res netted through Henry Willet but were sunk below the waterline by Higher Bebington Kelma, who had Kenny Mahon (2) and Alex Clarke on the mark in a fine 3-1 away win, and it was a day to forget for West Kirby, who crashed 4-0 at home to goals from Maghull Res' Joe Howard (3) and Sean Robinson.

Nathan Davidson and Jordan Foster bagged a goal apiece, as Neston Nomads accounted for Chester Nomads Res. 2-0.

Saturday's Division Three action saw Maghull's U23 side score through Frankie Jones and Matt O'Flaherty only to lose out 3-2 to current leaders, Sutton Rangers, who sealed the issue with efforts from Joe Douthwaite (2) and Alex Morgan.

Nearest rivals, Neston Nomads U23's stayed three points adrift, but with a game in hand, after they won bragging rights over local rivals, Heswall U23's, with Dean Jones (2) Alex Butterworth and Ciaran Meek sharing the goals in a 4-0 victory.

Despite efforts from Alfie Naylor and Danny Whitehead, Shaftesbury remained pointless when replies from Charlie Rackham (2) Sandro Maletta and Ben Gale earned visitors Christleton a 4-2 result.

Owen Mitchell's solitary strike won the day for Rainhill Town Res. at Capenhurst Villa Res. and in contrast, West Kirby Res had a field day at Great Sutton, Ethan Simon (3), Kyle Bennet (2), Dean Wylde and George Baker applying the finishing touches in a 7-2 rout. The hosts responded through Liam McCrellis and Louis Kellett.

AFC Knowsley U23's celebrated their first win after they beat Ellesmere Port Town U23's 4-2 with Bobby Connor (2), Tom Bramwell and Jack Wilson-Jones finding the net. In reply, the Port's contribution was provided by two-goal Jamal Hussein.