Maghull come out top against 2nd place Hale

Carlsberg West Cheshire League

In another week when the programme was ravaged by the weather, Division 1 table toppers Maghull took a huge step towards claiming the title well before the seasons’ end when defeating 2nd placed Hale by the odd goal in 5. At kick off, the pitch was in excellent condition with the variable wind at the backs of the hosts who pressed virtually from the start and Steve Williams got the better of Hale keeper Gavin Doran only to have his effort cleared away from the line. Then, bizarrely, Neil Storeys' goal bound shot was blocked on the line by one of his own Maghull team mates while at the other end; two Hale attacking efforts were halted by the offside flag. Williams then drove the ball into the side netting but, with 14 minutes on the clock, he was more successful when finding himself in space on the edge of the box he calmly lifted the ball over the on-rushing Doran. A Mike Boyle free kick flashed past the Hale post but before the half reached its’ midway point it became 2-0 when a left sided corner was met at the near post by Steve King who gleefully headed home. Hale were enjoying little success as an attacking force but produced a scare when Maghull keeper Lee Carroll lost a race for the ball on the edge of the box only for a defender to come to his rescue. Another Hale attack was thwarted by a last ditch tackle by Ryan Stamper while at the canal end Doran made a point blank save at the expense of Rob Dutton. An early 2nd half goal was top of the agenda for Hale but that honour fell to Maghull when Jay McGrane made it 3-0 after good work by Dutton. The visitors endeavored to get back into the contest and Carroll pushed a free kick round the post and 10 minutes into the half, they were thrown a lifeline when Carl Latham broke clear and was brought down in the box. The offender was shown a red card and Josh Doran dispatched the penalty past Carroll. It soon became 3-2 when a cross from the right was forced into the net by Sean Wright. Boosted by their success Hale pressed hard but in worsening conditions they were met by a determined 10 man Maghull and were unable to create clear cut openings. Brian Williams hit a long range effort wide but generally the visitors were guilty of over hitting passes as they sought desperately for an equalizer. Hale thought they had achieved their goal in the final minute when a left wing corner found its’ way into the Maghull net only for joy to turn to despair as the “goal” was disallowed for pushing. Having racked up 12 consecutive victories, Maghull now hold a massive 21 point advantage over Saturdays’ opponents as they seemingly cruise to the title. Two of this season’s Cheshire Amateur cup semifinalists met in the only other Division 1 game with host side Cammell Laird Reserves taking on Ashville who moved into 4th place as a result of a 2-1 success. Leading 1-0 at the break, Ashville had Josh Dures on target. In a second half dominated by Lairds, Ashville on a rare attack saw Dave Rudge with the help of a goalkeeping error make it 2-0, in a frantic last ten minutes Lairds came back with Kris Hesketh responding after the Ashville ‘keeper’ let a soft shot go through his legs, but for all their effort couldn’t find the net for an equalizer.
The only offering in Division 2 gave Richmond Raith Rovers Mags the opportunity to regain top spot which they took with both hands as they overcame Maghull Reserves, 6-1. Joey Bligh was Richmonds’ star performer when bagging a hat trick which was supplemented by Brad Thompson, Ally Birmingham and Dom Gilchrist while Chris Nation hit Maghulls’ consolation.
Both Division 3 encounters resulted in victories for the away side with 2nd placed Ford Motors suffering a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Bootle Reserves who boosted their own promotion hopes as a result. Men on the mark for Bootle were Dylan Holcroft, John Cheetham and Danny O’Connor as Danny Tree netted for the hosts. Sam Burns led the way with a double as Widnes Vikings Reserves got the better of Kirkby Town Railway by the odd goal in seven. Gary Gooth and Bemmeke Babejide added to the Widnes total while John Humphries, Dean Kenny and Glen Lamb struck for Kirkby.
Congratulations go to Mossley Hill Athletic Reserves on reaching the final of the Liverpool County FA Junior cup after defeating fellow league side Hale Reserves 3-1. Cameron Burke, Sean Alcock and Harry Brady obliged for the Division 2 outfit as Colin Mee found the net for the hosts.
One Youth Division game escaped the weather with Vauxhall Motors recording a 4-1 victory at Maghull, a result which took them back to the top of the table. Matt Williams, Dan Cross [pen], Cy Sullivan and Alex Mercer hit the mark for Motors and Tom Baker did likewise for the hosts.


Ray Condliffe





SATURDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2014 KICK OFF 2-00P.M.
[If home team ground is unavailable, game will be played on opponents ground]
PYKE CUP 2ND ROUND
MALLABY VAUXHALL MOTORS RES P.Broadbent C. CLAY** M. FORD**
MOSSLEY HILL ATHLETIC HALE S.Eagles S. BOURQUE** J. SLATER**
NEWTON CAMMELL LAIRD RES J.Madine R. BUCK** B. MCQUILLAN**
WEST KIRBY ASHVILLE JP Kenny B. ROBINSON** H. SMITH**
DIVISION ONE
BLACON YOUTH CLUB SOUTHPORT TRINITY A.Philbin A. BAINBRIDGE**D. GOULBOURN**
CHESTER NOMADS CHRISTLETON K.Silcock N. GRUNDY** C. JOHNSTON**
HESWALL MAGHULL R.Andrews B.Horan** A. DAVIES**
UPTON A.A SOUTH LIVERPOOL TBA TBA TBA
DIVISION TWO
GATEACRE VILLAGE WEST KIRBY RES A. DICK
MAGHULL RES PRESCOT CABLES RES M. HANSON
MANOR ATHLETIC MOSSLEY HILL ATHLETIC RES C. SLADEN
MARSHALLS CAPENHURST VILLA D. PUGH
REDGATE ROVERS AFC BEBINGTON ATHLETIC D. RICHARDSON
RICHMOND RAITH ROVERS MAGS HELSBY J.Farrell L.Budworth M.Irvine
OPEN:- ASHVILLE RES.[H]. HESWALL RES. [A], MERSEY ROYAL, WILLASTON [REQ]
DIVISION THREE
BOOTLE RES KIRKBY TOWN RAILWAY P.Williams
CAPENHURST VILLA RES RAINHILL TOWN G. DONALDSON
CHESTER NOMADS RES MERSEYSIDE POLICE [Cancelled] P. SULLIVAN
CHRISTLETON RES NESTON NOMADS A. HITCHCOX
HALE RES BELFRY S. FARRELL
SOUTH LIVERPOOL RES UPTON A.A. RES A. HARDWICK
ST HELENS TOWN RES FORD MOTORS W. KINNEAR
WIDNES VIKINGS RES MARSHALLS RES D. STEWART
YOUTH PLATE GROUP A KICK OFF 10-30A.M.
MAGHULL NEWTON R. BARKER
WIDNES VIKINGS VAUXHALL MOTORS S.Town
GROUP B
MALLABY BOOTLE S. BYRNE
SOUTH LIVERPOOL WEST KIRBY J. MITCHELL

NOTE:- YOUTH PLATE GAMES:
- IF GAME IS CANCELLED THROUGH GROUND BEING UNFIT 1 POINT TO EACH TEAM:
- IF TEAM IS UNABLE TO PLAY THE GAME IS FORFEITED, OPPONENTS RECEIVE 3 POINTS.