Houlihan's BSL News 5th October

Birkenhead Sunday Association Football League round-up, 5 October

Bernie Holmes (BSL Press Officer)

Queens Park booked their place in the second round of the FA National Sunday Cup with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Liverpool Business Houses outfit Mayfair FC.

Image: FA National Sunday cup game between Queens Park v Mayfair. Credit: Bernie Holmes

In a match short on clear chances, the game finally sparked into life in the 73rd minute when Jack Bentley surged down the Mayfair left flank and delivered a low cross.

Joel Whalley showed great awareness to dummy the ball, allowing Liam Owen to rifle home from close range, but with six minutes remaining, a long throw caused confusion in the Queens box, and Mayfair capitalised to level the scores.

In the dying moments with penalties looming, a Jamie Leyland header came back off the post only for Bentley to react quickest to smash home the winner to send Queens through.

Woodchurch Hotel were knocked out of the competition following a 3-1 defeat to Custys FC, also of the Liverpool Business Houses league. Ben Ryan struck early to cancel out Custys’ opener but conceded two more to trail 3-1 going into the break—a scoreline that held despite Woodchurch’s determined second-half efforts.

Dock’s fixture against The Molly was postponed due to the weather. The match has been rescheduled for this Sunday, 12 October, at Vauxhall’s main pitch, with an 11am kick-off.

Cheshire Cheese cruised into the third round of the Cheshire Cup with an emphatic 4-0 win over Cooper Buckley FC. Kierron Frost led the charge with a brace, while Ellis Blenkinsopp and Ewan Macca also found the net in a commanding display.

Corsair FC held their nerve in a tense penalty shootout to defeat FC Mountfield 3-0 after a 1-1 draw in normal time—Brad Greer with the goal in regulation time.

Oxton Celtic returned from Brookvale FC with a solid 2-1 win thanks to goals from Joe D’Henin and Harry Sutton.

Seamus O’Donnell’s fell just short in a spirited effort against reigning Cheshire Cup holders George & Dragon. Goals from Callum Jones and Jason Bull kept them in the contest, but they were narrowly beaten 3-2.

Fender FC got back to winning ways with a dominant 6-0 win over Upton Town. Billy Rainbow stole the show with a clinical hat-trick, while Ellis Byrne, Ben Morris, and Leighton Clarke completed the scoring.

In domestic cup action, Rig Move progressed into the second round of the Presidents Cup with a thumping 8-0 victory over AFC Shaftes. Daniel Woodcock bagged a hat-trick, Regan Riach struck twice, and there were further goals from Lewis Cooper, James Grahame, and Corey Bevan in a one-sided encounter.

Victoria Colts booked their place in the second round of the Tony Houlihan Memorial Challenge Cup with an impressive 4–1 victory over AFC Rangers. Daryl Hellon, Callum Lavalle, Mike Williams and Destiny Obichere all found the net for Colts, while Josh Keane grabbed a consolation for Rangers.

Second round action saw The Dell produce a dominant performance to defeat Lighthouse FC 6–2. David Southall led the scoring with a brace, and there were further goals from Tom Mahamotho, Alfie Heywood, Sam Black and Natas Asmonas.

Premier Division saw Tom Haynes and Teddy Galer score for Lancelyn, only for Rock Ferry to strike back with efforts from Jayden Jones and Josh Dunroe to see the game finish 2-2.

In Houlihan’s Division Two, Woodchurch Rovers and Upton Willows shared the spoils in an entertaining 2–2 draw. Karl Dobbs and Tommy Atherton were on target for Rovers, while Alex Broadbent and Dylan McColgan netted for Willows.

Lukes continued their fine form with a 3–1 win over Lions FC, thanks to goals from prolific scorers Leon Jones and Stuart Hardman, with Finn Perr also getting on the scoresheet. Matt Lydiate replied for Lions.

Eastham Rangers secured a 5–2 win over North Wirral Saints, inspired by a brace from Harry Huggins. Jack Cooke and Kieran Hodgson also got on the scoresheet, along with an own goal. Alex Fletcher netted both for the Saints.

In Division Three, Ridgewood ran out 4–1 winners against MSC Eastham, with Adam Walker scoring twice and further goals coming from Conor Bowman and Adam Pickering. Jack Hughes replied for Eastham.

Parkgate St Germain returned to winning ways with a 2–0 result over AFC Tima, courtesy of goals from Alex Butterworth and Luis Wilding.