South Liverpool lose for 1st time in a League game

A thrilling top of the table clash Division 2 saw visiting Mallaby inflict a 1st league defeat on leaders South Liverpool by four goals to three. With admiring spectators from as far afield as Yorkshire and London looking on it was Mallaby who made an early breakthrough via John Wilkinson but after 17 minutes play this was wiped out by South’s Tom Kinsella. Mallaby quickly hit back when John Hedges produced a smart finish but for their part South wasted no time in responding either as Neil Best rounded off a well worked move. Mallaby then went in front for the 3rd time just before the break when Eddy Toner powered home a 30 yarder. Play in the 1st half had been evenly spread but on the resumption it was the hosts who took up most of the running with Cameron Dalton crashing a shot against the bar and 19 minutes remained when they deservedly drew level again as Alex Woodcock forced the ball home. This was a signal for South to launch a series of attacks during which the ball was cleared off the line 3 times by the desperate Mallaby rearguard. But it was the visitors who gained the plaudits when they broke away for John Coulter to skillfully lob the ball into the net. Also in Division 2, there was a major surprise as promotion hopefuls Richmond Raith Rovers crashed to a 7-0 defeat at Helsby who had John Coady as a hat trick star while Rob Powell, 2, Steve O’Brien and John Toner supplemented. At the other end of the table, basement boys Mersey Royal went down 4-2 at home to Ashville Reserves [Steve McCann, 2, Kyle Kelly, Kyle Williams], West Kirby Reserves lost 2-0 at Capenhurst Villa [Mike Banks, Jack Sheppard] but Mossley Hill Athletic Reserves [Phil Duncan] enjoyed a single goal success at Manor Athletic while Beb Athletic [Danny Hale] fought out a 1-1 draw with rivals Marshalls [Craig Robins]. A Lee Dermody strike was the difference between the sides as Heswall Reserves overcame Willaston and 2nd placed Maghull Reserves enjoyed a comprehensive 6-1 victory at Prescot Cables Reserves. On Tuesday an Iain Forster double featured as Capenhurst Villa won 3-1 at Ashville Reserves.
Craig Cairns was the match winner for Division 1 leaders Cammell Laird Reserves with his solitary strike bringing maximum reward from their visit to Maghull but 2nd placed Heswall had to be content with a point from a 0-0 draw at Christleton. Regular marksman Mike McGraa opened the scoring for West Kirby as they maintained pressure on the 2 sides above them thanks to gaining a 5-1 verdict over Mossley Hill. Dave Webb, 2, Chris Barrow and an own goal completed the tally. Upton AA [Darren Wallace, Thomas Fellows, Nathan Mapletoft] gained 3 vital points by overcoming table trailers Ellesmere Port [Carl Daley], 3-1 while Southport Trinity [Charles Coats] picked up a point at Ashville [Kyle Birch]. Spoils were also shared as host side Newton [Lee Kissock, 2, Ryan Foley] drew 3-3 with Marine Reserves [Lee Green, Jake Worrell, Kevin Hill] and the game at Hale was abandoned after 61 minutes with visiting Blacon YC leading 1-0. In midweek, Mark Winslade led the way with a double as Vauxhall Motors Reserves defeated Blacon YC, 5-2.
Widnes Town are the new leaders of Division 3 after defeating previous incumbents, Redgate Rovers, 2-0 as Paul Cliff and Joe Brizell obliged while Gateacre [Joe Connelly 2, John McGee] stayed in the hunt after disposing of Hale Reserves, 3-0. Merseyside Police [Chris Matthews, Dave Heaton, Tony Hill, Scott Owens, Matt Tonge] garnered 3 welcome points when running out as 5-1 winners against Christleton Reserves but Upton AA Reserves remain in trouble after losing 3-0 to visiting South Liverpool Reserves [Dean Sayer, Adam Whitley, Kieran Parker] while fellow strugglers Capenhurst Villa Reserves [Mark Ryan] were edged out 2-1 at Neston Nomads [Lee Cairns, Mark Noakes]. Marshalls Reserves reached the semi final of the West Cheshire Shield by defeating Ellesmere Port Reserves, 3-1 with Ivan Jenkins, Tom Hackett and Andrew Iniabere finding the net.
Goals aplenty in the Halton/West Cheshire Youth League with Vauxhall’s Shaun Cookson grabbing the individual honours thanks to a 6 goal haul against Western Point Juniors.