Round up 18 December 2010

CARLSBERG WEST CHESHIRE AFL
MATCH ROUND UP W/E 18th DECEMBER 2010

In common with most leagues in the country the Carlsberg West Cheshire League suffered a complete whiteout at the weekend. All concerned will be hoping that matters improve in time for the six Division 1 fixtures scheduled for Bank Holiday Monday December 27th which are :- Blacon YC v Christleton, Helsby v Marshalls, Heswall v Ellesmere Port, Newton v Upton AA, Vauxhall Motors Reserves v Cammell Laird Reserves, West Kirby v Marine Reserves. Kick Offs 2.00 p.m. except @ Vauxhalls - 3.00 p.m.
West Kirby will be looking for the win that would take them back to the top of the table at the expense of the inactive Maghull. Last April a win by Cammell Laird Reserves on the last day of the 2009/10 campaign saw them become champions and put paid to Kirby’s hopes of a 4th successive title and the Seaside outfit are keen to have their name re-etched on the trophy. For their part Maghull are making a determined and impressive bid to collect their 1st trophy since joining the league in 1999. Hoping for a slip up by the top 2 are Heswall and Southport Trinity, the latter along with Marshalls having enjoyed excellent starts to life in Division 1. At the other end of the table Blacon YC are having their perennial battle against relegation and even with half the campaign still remaining face a tough task to climb above the teams ahead of them.
As we head for the second half of the season the only unbeaten team in the league are Division 2 leaders Chester Nomads who lead the table by one point from Ashville. Perhaps predictably, when the sides met last month the points were shared and although the signing of many players of proven 1st Division quality made Ashville pre-season title favourites Nomads have matched them so far despite having a poorer goal scoring record. Current standings suggest that the two protagonists are likely to occupy the promotion spots come April but strange things often happen in football and New Brighton and Mossley Hill Athletic, who have improved greatly after a poor start, will amongst those looking to capitalize on any falling away by the top two.
Table toppers in Division 3 are newboys Runcorn Linnets Reserves. The Linnets club were formed in 2006 by supporters of the old Runcorn F.C. who for many years had a reserve side in the West Cheshire AFL and who won the Pyke Cup for 3 successive years in the late 1950’s and early 60’s. The Linnets 1st team feature in the Vodkat North West Counties League and after initially ground sharing, the club moved this season to an excellent new facility in Runcorn. Although Linnets enjoy a 6 point lead, 2nd placed Manor Athletic are hot on their tails having played 2 games fewer as they seek to return to a 2nd Division they last graced in 2005. Wallasey rivals New Brighton Reserves and Ashville Reserves also feature in the top 4 while lower in the table are Mossley Hill Athletic Reserves who have a number of games in hand.
The Youth Division for under 18’s provides an excellent standard of football on Saturday mornings and it couldn’t be much tighter at the top. Maghull, Belfry and Hale are separated by just 2 points while well in the hunt are Halewood Town who can leapfrog all 3 by winning their outstanding fixtures.