Houlihan's BSL News 7th September

Birkenhead Sunday Association Football League round-up, 31 August 2025

Bernie Holmes (BSL Press Officer)

Cheshire Cup 1st round games dominated Sunday’s fixture list, and in the highlighted game of the day, it was KRCT Bidston that prevailed with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Whitby Rangers.

Image: KRCT Bidston (Blue) v Whitby Rangers (Yellow & Black stripes). Match winner Dega Taylor is pictured (Centre) wearing captain’s armband. Credit: Bernie Holmes

“The Biddy” started brightest and found themselves unlucky to go behind when Matty Vickers played a nice one-two before he unleashed an unstoppable 20-yard rocket that sailed into the corner of the net, giving the keeper no chance.

Again, chances came and went for Bidston until midway into the second half when Anthony Gardiner was brought down in the area. Joe Dulson stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way and level matters before free kick specialist “Dega Taylor” curled home from 25 yards to win it for Bidston.

Oxton Celtic came away with all the treasure after a brilliant 3-2 away win against Nantwich Pirates FC. Harry Sutton, Charlie Jones, and Stephen Hird all found the net. Newton Bushell also progressed, beating Adswood United 2-0 courtesy of efforts from Jay Hanson and Liam Gorden.

Despite a goal from Tom Quinn, Beechwood were sent crashing out after a 4-1 reversal against AFC Carnforth. Cheshire Cheese secured a brilliant 4-0 win at Romily FC thanks to a Kie Frost brace and further goals from Jack Fradge and Sean Wilson.

Billy Rainbow was the star man as he bagged a hat-trick to help Fender FC secure a dominant 7-1 victory over Stockport 1883. Further efforts from Morgan Galer (2), Leighton Clarke, and Ellis Byrne completed the route.

Dock AFC also secured a 7-1 victory against Wallasey Sunday League outfit Finnigans FC. Ben Wood led the way with a hat-trick, while Jamie Eaton bagged a brace, with Fin Williams and Can McGregor also finding the back of the net.

Woodchurch FC put recent frustrations behind them with an 11-1 demolition of Wilmslow Albion. Ben Ryan notched a four-timer, Danny McGloughlin a hat-trick, while Tom Ryan, Josh Hulmston, Mo Aly Sheriff, and Jake Carragher all chipped in.

Wellington’s good start to the season continues after they also posted a big win away at Blacon Youth Club. Shay Roberts and Dan O’Halloran both scored doubles while Gabe Cooper, Dil Thomas, Luke Raith, Ollie Lloyd, and Lewis Willingham all got in on the act in a 9-1 away win.

Higher Bebington Kelma progressed with a narrow 2-1 victory over Athletic VH. Corey Wilson and Liam Atherton were on target for Kelma, while Harper Farnworth scored Athletic’s consolation goal.

Meanwhile, Queens Park and Rock Ferry Social also enjoyed convincing victories. Harvey Sample scored three for Queens in a 6-1 win over local rivals Lancelyn, supported by a brace from Joel Whalley and a goal from Jamie Leyland; Lancelyn’s reply came from Jordan Major.

Rock Ferry Social travelled to Chester and District Sunday league side Woodlands and came away with a dominant 7-2 victory. Jayden Jones netted a brace while Luke Burns, Josh Griffiths, Rory Aldiss, and Liam Driscoll all found the net.

Despite an Alex Butterworth goal, Parkgate St Germain had a tough morning as they succumbed to a 9-1 defeat against Stockport Sunday league side Offerton Green FC.

Rig Move also suffered at the hands of FC Mountfield in a much closer affair, losing 2-1. Billy Nixon was the Rig Move scorer.

Corsair FC secured their passage into the next round with a 5-2 win against Crew and District side AFC Dishers. Sam Hewitt, Leon Clarke, Ciaran Byrne, Jordon Dilworth, and Shaun Taylor all found the net.

Despite a double from the evergreen Eddie Jeb, Shaftes fell at the first hurdle, losing 5-2 against Winston Sacred Heart.

AFC Tima also went crashing out despite a Mike Redgrift strike as they were defeated 4-1 away at Stockport Orion FC.

Seamus O’Donnells FC travelled away to Cheadle FC and the sides could not be separated after ninety minutes. The game ended in a 0-0 stalemate and went to spot kicks with neither side blinking in the initial five. Eventually, in sudden death, O’Donnell’s held their nerve to progress to seal a superb victory.

Domestic Houlihan’s Division Two action saw Upton Town bag goals by Liam Heely and Joss Ross, but were forced to settle for a point as The Dell replied with two of their own in a well-contested draw.

North Wirral Saints and Upton Willows also played out an entertaining 3-3 draw. Saints saw Ben Dunn bag a brace, with Alex Letcher also on the scoresheet. In reply, Harry Bough converted from the penalty spot and added a stunning 25-yard strike, while Tom Davis also found the net for Willows.

Lukes FC had Leon Jones, Brandon Smith and Stuart Hardman all on target, but it wasn’t enough to stop Eastham Rangers, who ran out winners thanks to four goals from Kieran Hodgson, a brace from Jack Cooke, and a further strike from Harry Huggin.

Woodchurch Rovers produced a dominant display as Joe Jones, Karl Dobbs, Hayden Gardener, Luke Wynne, and Lewi Hunt all scored in their emphatic 5-0 win over Poulton Victoria S&S.

In Division Three, AFC Raeburn and West Kirby United took full advantage of Parkgate St Germain’s Cheshire Cup commitments to secure valuable wins. Raeburn edged past Lottie Dod 2-1, with Tyler Sutton and Natas Asmonas getting on the scoresheet for Raeburn and Dan Lewis notching Lottie Dod’s consolation goal. Meanwhile, West Kirby United claimed a 2-0 victory away at Catons FC, thanks to goals from Tom Fleming and Eddie Dancey.

AFC Rangers had Michael Searson and Chris Carress on target, but Ridgewood FC hit five to take all three points. Conor Bowman led the way with a brace, supported by strikes from Conor Reeves, Jack Robinson and Adam Walker.

MSC Eastham and Victoria Colts FC had to settle for a point apiece after a 2-2 draw. Ben Doyle and Corey Jenkins scored for Eastham, while Mike Williams and Callum Lavelle replied for the Colts.