Unbeaten West Cheshire League Division One leaders, South Liverpool, remained on course for a league and cup double, after they overcame Ashville 4-2 in the Pyke Cup semi-final at the Jericho Lane Hub, writes Ernie McDonald.

The 2016 winners progresed thanks to a Cam Dalton double, allied to further efforts from Brad Williams and Alex Woodcock. The visitors replied via Sam Hunt and James Clare.

The other semi proved a stumbling block for cup holders, Redgate Rovers, who saw their dream of a third Pyke Cup success in three years evaporate, after they went down 3-2 in extra time to goals from Ellesmere Port Town’s Ryan Nicoll (2) and Richie McQuade. The visitors had Robbie McDonald and Jacob Jones in reply.

In Division One, second placed Mossley Hill Ath. safeguarded their unbeaten record, and moved to within five points of the leaders, with a game in hand, after they posted a 7-2 result over Capenhurst Villa.

Hero of the hour, was four goal hot-shot Elliot Hughes who played the anchor role and was joined on the scoresheet by Paul Pearson, Ollie Sanderson and Joe Hornby. Efforts from George Patchett and Billy Dixon were Cape’s contribution.

It was business as usual for Division Two pacesetters, Prescot Cables Res., who increased their advantage at the top to eight points, after Josh Donnelly, Matt Scoular and Ethan Van Ashton found the net in Saturday’s 3-0 eclipse of New Brighton outfit, Poulton Royal.

Fourth placed Mersey Royal currently trail the leaders by ten points, but have three games in hand and so they are still key players. They enhanced their claims with Liam Driscoll’s hat-trick and an effort from Liam Siddorn helping them to a 4-2 victory over Litherland Remyca Dev. who hit back through Cam Taylor and Andrew Britto-Coll.

Marine Res. were another free scoring side at the weekend, and stayed on course for promotion from Division Three after scoring seven without reply against Chester Nomads Res. It was Marines’ fourteenth win of the season, and featured goals from Adam McCoughlin (2), Zak El- Beshri (2), Jordan Martin(2) and Thomas Hewlett. Elsewhere, Willaston were elevated to sixth with a 4-0 decision over Marshalls Res.

which saw efforts from Sean Lunt (2), Harry Mates and Jake Quarmby.

Key games this Saturday bring Mossley Hill Ath. together with Waterloo Dock in the LCFA Challenge Cup, while South Sefton Borough take on Division Two rivals Aintree Villa, in the Haworth & Gallagher Bowl and Bootle St.Edmunds face Parklands in the LCFA Challenge Cup.