Houlihan's BSL News 21st September

Birkenhead Sunday Association Football League round-up, 21 September 2025

Bernie Holmes (BSL Press Officer)

The Houlihan’s Birkenhead Premier Division delivered a thrilling Sunday of football, with 29 goals flying in across just five matches.

Image: Cheshire Cheese (Red) against Bushell Newton. Credit: Bob Shaw

Rock Ferry Social and Lancelyn Glenavon served up a classic in a breathless 4-4 draw. Rock Ferry looked in control at the break with a 2-0 lead, but a dramatic second-half collapse saw Lancelyn storm into a 4-2 lead.

Just when it looked like the points were lost, Rock Ferry launched their own fightback to rescue a draw in a pulsating contest. On target for Rock Ferry where Liam Driscol (2), Jayden Jones, and Scott Connoly while Lancelyn replied through Alfie McNicholas, Adam Mitchell, Teddy Galer, and an unfortunate own goal.

Elsewhere, Fender, despite going down to ten men inside the opening half-hour, raced into a 3-1 lead against KRCT Bidston thanks to goals from Leighton Clarke, Ellis Byrne, and Billy Rainbow. But Bidston refused to lie down, and the numerical advantage eventually told as they struck twice to snatch a 3-3 draw. Ben Kearney, John Mearns, and Ben O’Neil grabbed the goals for KRCT Bidston.

Amazingly, Queens Park and Whitby Rangers also played out a dramatic 3-3 draw. Joel Whalley’s brace and a goal from Liam Owen had Queens Park heading for victory, but Whitby kept themselves in the hunt through an Aiden Hill finish and a thunderbolt from man-of-the-match Sam Cooper. With the clock ticking down, Cooper struck again deep into stoppage time to score his second of the game to ensure a share of the spoils.

Elsewhere, Cheshire Cheese (pictured) got back to winning ways with a commanding 4-0 win over Bushell Newton, as Sean Wilson and Jack Fradg both netted twice.

Wellington FC responded well to last weekend’s setback, running out 4-1 winners against Woodchurch Hotel. Goals came from Gabe Cooper, Shay Roberts, Dil Thomas, and an own goal, with Jay Scarisbrick grabbing a consolation goal for Woodchurch.

Rig Move surged to the summit of Division 1 with an impressive 3-1 away triumph at Upton Town. Daniel Woodcock stole the show, netting twice in a commanding performance, with Corey Beavin also finding the net. Upton’s only response came through Sam Whelan.

Seamus O’Donnells stayed hot on their heels, producing a ruthless display to sweep aside Corsair FC 4-0. Callum Jones, Louis Brown, Sam Copley and Jason Farrell all got in on the act as O’Donnell’s kept the pressure on at the top.

In Division 2, Higher Bebington Kalma continued their winning start, putting seven past Upton Willows in a dominant 7-2 victory. Liam Addo led the way with a brace, supported by strikes from Lewis Simpson, Lewi Clarke, Dylan Owen, Corey Wilson, and Luke Edwards. Mark Cooper and Luke Dunford offered scant consolation for Willows, as Kalma pulled three points clear at the top.

Over in Division 3, West Kirby United handed Parkgate St Germain their first league defeat of the season with a convincing 5-2 win — a result that sends United two points clear at the top. The goals were shared around with Ben Banks, Matty Murphy, Eddie Dancey, Fin Austin and Matty Keville all on target. Ryan Wright and Matty Bolton replied for Parkgate.

Lottie Dodd hit their stride with a 5-1 win over Lighthouse FC, with Liam Pitt the standout, helping himself to a clinical hat-trick. Alex Clarke and Jack Catterall also chipped in, while James Marshall grabbed a late consolation for Lighthouse.

AFC Rangers were undone by a sharp West Kirby Wasps side, despite a brace from Chris Carress. Tom Wright matched him with two of his own, while Paddy Lawler and Josh Hole added further goals to seal a 4-2 victory for the Wasps.

AFC Raeburn booked their place in the next round of the Tony Houlihan Memorial Challenge Cup with a dominant 5–1 win over Ridgewood FC. Tyler Sutton struck twice in a commanding performance, with Dan Piggott and Leo Connor also on target, and a Ridgewood own goal wrapping up the scoring. Matty Hoijord grabbed a consolation for the visitors.

Oxton Celtic were in ruthless form as they put eight past AFC Shaftesbury in a one-sided affair. Harry Sutton stole the show with a superb hat-trick, while Casey Ford added a brace and there were further goals from Tom Fleming, Sean Deehan, and Joe Henin. Mason Smith netted the solitary reply for Shaftsbury.

Division Two outfit Lions FC knocked out Division One’s Athletic VH with a clinical 3–0 win. Matt Lydiate led the charge with a well-taken brace, and Adam Horton added the third to put Lions into the next round.

MSC Eastham and AFC Tima played out a 2–2 draw in normal time, with Jack Whitby and Keane Fletcher on the scoresheet for Eastham, and Michael Gratin and Cameron Jones responding for Tima. The tie went to penalties, where Eastham held their nerve to edge through 6–5 in a tense shootout.

The Dell FC ran riot with a 6–1 demolition of Catons FC, with Sam Black helping himself to a hat-trick in a standout display. David Southall struck twice, and Mike Hall also found the net, while Orlando Brenan scored the lone goal for Catons.