West Kirby land the Wirral Senior Cup on Penalties

The outstanding issues of the 2013/14 season were settled during the week with Upton AA being resigned to joining former champions Heswall in the Division 1 relegation places after neighbours Christleton had projected themselves to safety thanks to a comprehensive 6-0 victory over Newton. A strong team effort by the hosts produced their biggest win of the campaign and featured 6 different goalscorers with Lee Butterworth, Ben Powell netting in the 1st half and Ashley Williams, Joel Douglas, Tim Bigland and Tadgh Gregory all finding the net in the second period against the Pyke Cup holders.

In Wednesday’s Wirral Senior Cup final at Cammell Laird F.C., League champions Maghull faced a West Kirby outfit who entered the contest on the back of 3 defeats, one of which was a 4-0 reversal at the hands of that night’s opponents. But such is the nature of cup football that a close encounter developed with neither side able to achieve a 1st half breakthrough. Ten minutes after the interval though Maghull went in front when striker Steve Williams converted a spot kick. As time wore on, Phil Stafford’s side saw their dreams of a League and cup double looming nearer only for them to be dashed with 6 minutes remaining when long serving Terry Cotgrave popped with an equaliser. Neither side was able to find the net in extra time and it was Kirby who went on to upset the odds by winning the resultant shoot out 3-2.

Division 2 champions, Capenhurst Villa rounded off an excellent campaign with a 9-0 trouncing of a West Kirby Reserves outfit who completed their programme with a bottom 2 placing. Capenhurst who lead 1-0 at half-time took control in the second period and were helped by some poor defensive work, with Kyle Smythe taking the scoring honours with a 4 goal haul, Tom Ward grabbed a treble and Scott Riock and Danny Wainwright also registered for Villa who suffered just a single defeat in their league encounters. Top scorers in the division with 105 goals were Richmond Raith Rovers Mags but the 3rd placed side suffered a last game 2-1 defeat at the hands of visiting Manor Athletic. James English registered for the hosts while Kevin Walker and Kirk Mustoe struck for Manor.

First Division outfit Mallaby had an experience on Thursday that they will never forget when they appeared in a challenge match at Goodison Park. The son of club manager Mark Toner, Elliot, had won a competition sponsored by Barclays which saw them turning out on the Everton turf against Harrock United from Wigan. Mallaby did the League proud by emerging as 4-0 winners with 1st half goals at the Park end from John Hedges and Gerrard Mullen which were added to after the break by Mullen and, appropriately, Elliot himself. The teams were warmly welcomed by Alan Stubbs and David Unsworth and the match was given the “full treatment” with P.A. announcements of teams, goals and substitutions which were controlled by a 4th official complete with illuminated boards. The occasion completed a memorable month for team boss Mark Toner who, a few days earlier, had been named as the League’s Carlsberg Manager of the Month for April.

The Youth Division has two vacancies for next season any Under 16 team looking to progress to Youth football should contact the League Secretary Arthur Green on wclsecretary@hotmail.co.uk for an application form. The Youth Division plays all its games on a Saturday morning kicking off at 10-30.

The League’s Presentation Night & Hot Pot Supper will be held at the Vauxhall Motors Sports and Social Club on Thursday 22nd May. Guest speaker will be the enigmatic ex Everton, Leeds and Notts Forest star, Duncan McKenzie with top class comedy supplied by John Martin. Tickets are priced at £17.50 and are available from any League or club official.