Houlihan's Press Report 26th November 2023

Houlihan’s Birkenhead Sunday Association Football League

60th Anniversary Season
Recently voted the Best League in Cheshire

Press Report for Sunday 26th November 2023

KRCT made progress in the Cheshire County FA Sunday Challenge Cup after defeating league rivals Eastham Rangers Colts 2-1 to secure a place in the quarter finals.

Ben O’Neil and Matty Maguire notched the all-important goals while Ryan Day replied for the Colts.

A shock result in the Wirral District FA Premier Cup saw Premier Division Queens Park (Fenton Cavanaugh, Jack Bentley) lose out to Maxwell’s Barber Division One side Bushell Athletic. The game finished 2-2 at 90 minutes but Bushell won the tie 4-2 on penalties. Queens Park have now lost their four last games including three cup ties.

Eagle Stirrup FC made progress easing to the semi-finals of the Wirral District FA Sunday Amateur Cup after a 3-0 win at Barcode. On the mark for Eagle Stirrup were Callum Atkinson with a brace and a single from Louis Brown. They will be joined in the hat by Old Parks who earned the decision 6-5 on penalties over fellow rivals Lions after a 0-0 draw.

Strikes from Ussumane Jalo, Mike Redgrift, and Cameron Jones helped AFC Tima secure a place in the quarter-finals of the Wirral District FA Sunday Junior Cup with a comfortable 3-0 over Samba Vets.

Also into the last eight are Higher Bebington Kelma (Ad Clarke, Jack Brown, Joe Batty, Shea Edge) who took their tie 5-4 on penalties after a 4-4 draw at FC Greasby.

Despite a hat-trick from Harry Huggins, a double from Danny Alle,n and a Greg Beck strike, Wirral Athletic were beaten in a high-scoring game 8-6 by Mersey Clipper Vets.

In a south Wirral tie in The Tony Houlihan Memorial Challenge Cup, Joe Foster and Luke Blondel both bagged a pair supported by a Dean Jones strike for Neston Nomads running out 5-1 winners over Parkgate St Germain.

Poulton Victoria S&S also made progress taking the tie 7-6 on penalties after a 4-4 draw at 90 minutes. Jay Little (2), Carl Hadden, and Tom Price were the marksmen for the Vics in their win over Eastham Rangers.

A Premier Division clash saw Cheshire Cheese take the honours at Rock Ferry Social, 2-0.

Great Float S&S (Joel Kelly, Peter Morgan, Shaun Parrington) maintained pole position in the Premier Division after sharing the points with Wellington FC (Shay Roberts (2), Paul Ellison).

Woodchurch Hotel enhanced their chances of honours via an effort each from Will Bulpin and Charlie MacInnes at Lancelyn Glenavon (Danny Dixon) 2-1.

Two penalties from Eddie Jebb for AFC Shaftes finally earned them their first league point on the board in the Maxwell’s Barber Division One at high-flying Clipper.

Derby Jets‘ form continues to improve with a 3-0 result over Upton Town. Carl Hamm with a brace combined with a single from Kyle Bennett sealed the victory.

The big game in Division Three saw first versus second with leaders Oxton Celtic taking the honours 6-1 over West Kirby Utd.

Also by the same scoreline Athletic VH accounted for Upton United while Glenavon Athletics’ improved form continues with a narrow 3-2 success at AFC Raeburn. Paul Keenan was on hand with a double supplemented by a Kieran France effort for Glenavon Athletic. Jamie Owen and Austin Nelson responded for AFC Raeburn.