All Pyke cup games resolved for Semi-Final stage.

The League’s premier knockout competition held centre stage at the weekend with the 4 Pyke Cup quarter finals being held. There was a clear cut victory for Mossley Hill Athletic who were good value for their 3-0 victory over visiting Ashville. The hosts had already spurned a number of chances before Yusuf Malik popped up at the far post to head his side in front after 20 minutes play. Athletic continued to harass a shaky Ashville rearguard but at the other end, home keeper Colin Griffiths had to pull off 2 excellent saves before the interval to maintain his side’s advantage. Athletic made two substitutions for the 2nd period and they combined to edge their side further in front within 2 minutes of the restart with James Halligan applying the final touch from close range. Almost immediately it became 3- 0 when Kurt Sherlock’s neat finish provided too big a margin for an out of sorts Ashville outfit to overcome. Newton had to forego home advantage in their tie against Christleton but this proved to be no handicap to the Greasby outfit who ran out 2-0 winners as a strike from player/manager Lee Kissock and a Liam Smith spot kick underpinned their success. One of the features of this campaign has been the goal scoring exploits of Mike McGraa and the West Kirby striker was at it again when notching a double at Chester Nomads. Fellow front man Chris Barrow did likewise as Kirby eased to a 4-1 victory with long serving Dale Harris hitting Nomad’s consolation. Making up the semi-finalists are Heswall who came from a goal down to overcome hosts Vauxhall Motors Reserves, 2-1. Mark Bainbridge edged Vauxhalls in front 5 minutes before the break but Paul Howell emerged as the visitor’s hero by netting twice in the final 17 minutes.
Upton AA and Southport Trinity continue to struggle in Division 1 and both went down to home defeats as Cammell Laird Reserves garnered a single goal victory at Upton while Trinity [Ben Purdoe] were on the wrong end of a 4-1 scoreline at the hands of Hale [Sean Callund,2, Sean Wright, Wayne Smith]. In midweek Heswall strengthened their title credentials when a Richie Foulkes free kick, a Robbie Courtney header and superb Lee Dunbar strike earned them a 3-1 verdict over Ashville who had Jay Clare converting a penalty.
There were vital wins for relegation threatened sides Marshalls and West Kirby Reserves in Division 2. Steve Forth and Craig Robins obliged for Marshalls in the 2-1 success over fellow strugglers Beb Athletic [Mark Lee] while Tommy Baker led the way with a double as Kirby saw off Mossley Hill Athletic Reserves, 4-2. Steve Prance, Gordon Harrison and Colin Cunliffe were on the mark as Heswall Reserves moved up to 3rd spot as a result of overcoming Prescot Cables Reserves [Adam Rider] 3-1 while Manor Athletic and Capenhurst Villa blanked each other out in Bromborough. South Liverpool bowed out of the Liverpool Challenge Cup when suffering a 4-0 extra time reversal at Old Xaverians. In normal time South had saved a penalty but were up against it after having a man sent off.
In Division 3 Belfry fell to another defeat as Lee Cairns, Dean Jones and Mark Nokes found the net for 3-1 victors Neston Nomads while fellow promotion seekers Gateacre had to be content with a 0-0 draw at South Liverpool Reserves. A single James Browne effort was enough for Marshalls Reserves to gain maximum reward from their visit to Capenhurst Villa Reserves while Chester Nomads Reserves [Mike McCullum, Alan Bond] also enjoyed away day success at Hale Reserves [Vassilli Poza] and Beb Athletic Reserves [Ben Crossley] drew 1-1 with Upton AA Reserves [o.g.].
The Liverpool FA Youth Cup final will be an all-West Cheshire affair. Congratulations go to Bootle whose Jack Charnock hit the only goal in their semi-final tie against Churchtown Jaguars and to Gateacre whose passage to the final was spearheaded by a Kieron Owens double in the 2-1 win over Cooperas Hill.

Ray Condliffe