Houlihan's BSL News 2nd November

Birkenhead Sunday Association Football League round-up, 2 November

Bernie Holmes (BSL Press Officer)

Sunday’s Cheshire Cup third-round ties brought mixed results for Birkenhead Sunday League sides. With two Birkenhead league matchups on the cards, some familiar faces were guaranteed to bow out.

Image: Queens (blue) v Dock (green & white). Credit: Bob Shaw

That proved the case when Queens Park faced Dock on Sunday in the standout tie. It was Dock who progressed, earning the bragging rights thanks to a brace from Jack Kelly and an effort from Joe Downey in a 3-0 victory.

Woodchurch Hotel were unable to make home advantage count as they fell to a 2–0 defeat against current holders George & Dragon.

KRCT Bidston produced a fine away performance at Queens Bredbury, racing into a 2–0 lead at the break, through goals from Dillon Upton and Lewis Clarke. Ben Kearney added a third shortly after the restart before Bredbury hit back twice, but Bidston held firm to book a deserved victory.

Higher Bebington Kelma’s cup run ended despite a goal from Lewis Simpson, as AFC Carnforth proved too strong in a 5–1 win. Cheshire Cheese advanced at the expense of league rivals Bushell Newton, with Sean Wilson and Matty Welding netting in a 2–0 success.

Fender also made smooth progress with a resounding 6–0 win away at Lockstock Gralam. Leighton Clarke led the charge with a hat-trick, Ellis Byrne added a brace and Billy Rainbow chipped in with his usual goal.

In domestic cup action, five ties produced a feast of goals. The standout result came from Division Three’s AFC Raeburn, who stunned Division One side Upton Town 5–2. Tyler Sutton and Tom Brassey were the goal-scoring assassins, both bagging doubles, with an own goal completing Raeburn’s tally. Upton replied through Matthew Eastbrook and an own goal.

Athletic VH eased past Lukes FC 4–1 thanks to strikes from Lewis McKeown, Howard Willet, Tom Kenningham, and George Jones, while Luke Massey was on target for Lukes.

There was nothing to separate Lottie Dodd FC and Lions FC in normal time, the match ending 1–1 through goals from Darren Jones and Matt Lydiate respectively. Lions held their nerve in the shoot-out to triumph 5–4.

Seamus O’Donnell’s FC were ruthless in an 8–2 demolition of Upton Willows. Sam Copley fired a hat-trick, with doubles from Callum Jones and Jamie Scarisbrick, while Chris Furlong also found the net. Willows’ replies came from Harry Bough and Mark Cooper.

Woodchurch Rovers also hit top gear with a 7–3 win over The Dell FC. Ryan Thompson struck a hat-trick, Hayden Gardner added two, with Mike Richardson and Lewis Hunt completing the scoring. The Dell’s consolation goals came from Natas Asmonas, Mark Smith, and Ryan Mason.

Lancelyn Glenavon achieved what few have managed this season — keeping a clean sheet against Whitby Rangers — while adding three goals of their own in a 3–0 victory. Teddy Galer grabbed a brace and Jordan Major also scored in a well-deserved win.

Wellington FC climbed to third in the Premier Division table with a narrow 2–1 victory over Beechwood, thanks to goals from Phil Tyndale and Nathan Leyland. Charlie MacInnes netted Beechwood’s reply.

In Division Two’s sole fixture, Glenavon returned to winning ways with a 2–1 success against Saughall FC. Jamie Gann and George Wild struck for the hosts, while Owen Kelsy scored for Saughall.

In Division Three, MSC Eastham — inspired by Andy Grice — produced a superb 5–0 win over leaders Paris St Germain. Corey Jenkins hit a hat-trick, with Keane Fletcher and Ben Doyle also on target.

West Kirby United moved top of the table with a blistering 9–3 triumph over AFC Rangers. Eddie Dancey scored twice, while Matty Keville, Robbie Nairn, Tom Fleming, Matty Murphy, Ben Banks, Adam Spence, and Fin Austin all got in on the act. Rangers’ goals came from William Evans, Ritchie Brown, and Kyle Wright.

Elsewhere, AFC Tima’s Ryan Innes went from fish to shark when he fired home a 25-yard screamer in a 3–2 win over Victoria Colts. Grant Reay and Mark Redgrift were also on the scoresheet for Tima, while Daryl Hellon and Mike Williams replied for Colts.

Ridgewood FC and West Kirby Wasps served up a six-goal thriller, sharing the spoils in a 3–3 draw. Alex McDowell, Jack Heywood and Jamie Hobson netted for Ridgewood, with Harry White bagging a brace and Tom Wright scoring for the Wasps.