Division 2 leaders, Poulton Victoria, suffered their first league defeat of the season, 4-1 at Bootle Res

Following successive Wirral Senior and Cheshire Amateur Cup exits, MSC Express West Cheshire League Division Two leaders, Poulton Vics , suffered their first league defeat of the season after they went down 4-1 at Bootle Res. A Cam Grant double allied to further efforts from Joe Williams and Dan Da Costa saw the hosts over the line, with Frankie Ward on target for Vics, WRTES ERNIE MCDONALD.

That result saw Sutton Ath. go level on points with the leaders, when Shaun Weaver obliged with the game's only goal against Runcorn Sports while third placed Ashville Res., maintained interest, Danny Whitehead bagging both goals in a 2-0 victory at Maghull Res.

Following Friday evening's 4-2 win over Newton, Bootle St. Edmunds stayed four points in credit at the top of Division One but despite a double from Joel Jackson, Aintree Villa capitulated 3-2 to replies from Vauxhall Motors Res.' Jack Darlington, Graham Mort and an own goal.
An own goal was all Capenhurst Villa had to show for their efforts after they lost 3-1 at Rainhill Town, who sealed the issue courtesy of a goal apiece from Ant Dunleavy, Dave Kelly and Dylan Hodgkinson.

Division Three action saw Hooton elevated to second place in the table after Joel Whalley(3) Matt Redmond(2) Ben Lennon, Chris Davies, Paul Byrne, Ben Noble, and Steve Duckers shared the goals in Saturday's 10-0 rout of Ellesmere Port outfit, Groves .
In contrast, a solitary effort from Stephen Butler won the day for Runcorn Sports Res. against fourth placed challengers, Neston Nomads and likewise, a Jack Gibson strike earned Heswall Res. maximum spoils from local derby with West Kirby Res.

The form book rang true in Saturday's Pyke Cup first round ties , highlighted by holders, Mossley Hill Ath., who romped home 5-0 against Chester Nomads, with Connor Anderson(2) Owen Cassidy(2) and Dom Murphy finding the net. Strongly fancied Mersey Royal, with efforts from Liam Driscoll(2) and Dillon Thomas eclipsed Litherland Remyca Res., 3-0 while Marshalls accounted for Ellesmere Port Town 3-2 with Keran Mills, Jacob Till and Jack Ward on the mark. Ben Kelly and Ethan Grant netted for the Port.

Mossley Hill Ath. Res.' two-year grip on the Haworth & Gallagher Bowl was relinquished after they lost 2-0 at Helsby in Saturday's first round clash., goals from Sam Bailey and Nathan Leitch securing the win. A Nat Chung effort failed to prevent Marshalls Res. from going out against South Liverpool Res. who emerged 5-1 victors with Tyrese Caines, Amir Badhawi, Luke Partington, Harvey Billington and Chris Bramell all making the scoresheet.

A weather affected end to the week understandably brought about postponements but one West Cheshire Shield first round clash managed to get under way, and it was celebration time for Aintree Villa Res., Jack Terry(2) Ricky Ager, Paul Jackson and Stephen Andrews leaving their calling cards in a 5-0 triumph over Rainhill Town Res.

At Thursday's Council meeting, domestic cup draws came out of the hat as follows :

Pyke Cup 2nd Round w/c 21/1/23
Mersey Royal v Aintree Villa / Capenhurst Villa
Bootle St. Edmunds / Newton v Prescot Cables Res. / Maghull
Mossley Hill Ath. v Marshalls
Rainhill Town / Marine U23's v Heswall / Vauxhall Motors Res.

Haworth & Gallagher Bowl 2nd Round w/c 21/1/23
Bootle Res. / Runcorn Sports v Maghull Res. / West Kirby
Helsby v South Liverpool Res.
Poulton Vics / Ashville Res. v Cheshire Lines / South Sefton Borough
Poulton Royal v Sutton Ath. / Mallaby

West Cheshire Shield 2nd Round w/c 21/1/23
Chester Nomads Res. / South Liverpool 3rds v Poulton Vics Res. / Helsby Res.
Capenhurst Villa Res. / Heswall Res. v Groves Ath. / West Kirby Res.
Aintree Villa Res. v Runcorn Sports Res. / Higher Bebington Kelma
Neston Nomads v Hooton / Ellesmere Port Town Res.