Houlihan's Press Report 1 September 2024

Birkenhead Sunday League round up Sunday 1st September 2024

Press Secretary Bernie Holmes

Premier Division
Beechwood S&S may have taken a year out but on their return, it has only taken three games for them to secure top spot in the Houlihan’s Birkenhead Premier Division. On Sunday Beechwood travelled to Lanceyln, where they secured a decisive victory with three rapid first half goals. Ben Hawitt led the charge with a brace, while Mitchell Duggan added another ensuring Beechwood took all three points. Dock returned to action on Sunday in emphatic style, delivering a 5-1 victory over early frontrunners Cheshire Cheese. The ever-Green Adam Lea was on hand to notch a double while Connor Courtnell, Peter Morgan and Zak Catesby also added goals for Dock. Cam Nutall provided the lone response for Cheshire Cheese.

The Great Float line and team could hardly believe their eyes on Sunday as they turned to each other in astonishment, asking, “Did Matty Pickles really just score?” Indeed, it was Pickles who netted his first ever goal for Float as Leon Atkins also got on the scoresheet helping Float kick-start their season with a superb 2-0 win against Rock Ferry.

Champions Queens Park had Tom Black to thank in their hard fought 4-2 win against KRCT Bidston. Black scored twice, with additional goals from Harvey Sample and Joel Whaley, while Dava Bowe and John Mearns found the net for “The Biddy.” Meanwhile Woodchurch FC took a 2-0 lead against Wellington FC with goals from Ben Holmes and Jake Prescott, but Tom Bradshaw and Gabe Cooper struck back for “The Welly” to earn them a valuable point.

Division one
A Billy Rainbow hat-trick propelled Fender FC to the top of the table with a thrilling 6-4 victory away at Rig Move. Billy Morris added a double while Ellis Byrne also scored for Fender who made it three wins from three. Shaun Weaver, Billy Nixon, Harley Morris, and Kirk McMurry were all on the scoresheet for Rig Move who will be disappointed to have scored four but come away empty handed. Neston Nomads will be hoping to return to the Premier Division at the first time of asking, secured a good point away at Whitby Rangers. Neston took the lead in the first minute due to an own goal, but Whitby equalized just before half time with a Dom Hoppe penalty.

Shaftsbury’s good start to the season continued as they ran out 3-1 winners thanks to a double from Luke Larrisey and a Craig Kenyon strike. Joe Nuttall scored Saughall’s consolation goal. Corsair came crashing back down to earth as Eagle & Stirrup swooped to secure a narrow 1-0 win thanks to a Stuey Davies effort.

Division Two
Last week’s report highlighted Jack Gordan being on the losing side after netting four times for Poulton Victoria S&S. This week Gordon amazingly repeated that feat whilst this time being on the winning side as “The Vics” hit Catons for six. Brandon Burns and Scott Wright were also on target.

Woodchurch Rovers kicked off their season by defeating Upton Willows by the odd goal in five. Kelvin Pheonix, Ryan Thompson, and Hayden Gardener were the goal scorers while Ellis Bolton and Jamie Johns found the net for Upton Willows. Feeney’s and Oxton Celtic played out a 3-3 thriller. Harry Sutton with a brace and Casey Ford was the other scorer. For Feeney’s Ben Hunter, Greg Beck and Mark Rand were the goal scorers. Conor Egan and Dan O’Halloran were both on target for Wirral Radio securing a 2-1 win over Barkers 2-1.

A Lewis Simpson double was not enough for Higher Bebington Kelma, as Eastham Rangers struck three times thanks to a Nick Evans brace and a Cole Saunders strike to see Rangers take the points.

Division Three
Glenavon Athletic climbed to second place with a commanding 5-0 victory over Parkgate St Germain. Matty Lacy led the way with two goals, while Danny Rowland, George Wild and Ryan Morris each added to the tally. AFC Raeburn sit top after their third straight win this time it was Anthony Rambaut and Adam Gunnery who netted in a 2-1 over AFC Tima.

The top scorers in division three this week were MSC Eastham, who delivered an impressive 6-0 win against Fender Youth. Jack Hughes and Andy Grice both scored twice, while Natas Asmonas and Joe Walker added to the total, rounding off a dominant performance. Another team securing their third straight victory was Athletic VH who secured a good 3-0 win over AFC Rangers thanks to goals by George Jones, Cam Meadows, and Ross Meadows.

Man of the match Ryan Coles was the standout performer, netting all four goals for Victoria Colts in their 4-0 win at Farmers Arms. Meanwhile West Kirby United hit five without reply against West Kirby Wasps. Adam Banks scored a brace, while Tom Fleming, Matty Murphy and Robbie Nairn each added a goal to complete the scoring.

What did the clubs say? A few quotes from some of our clubs X accounts.

Great Float: “The day gets better for Matty Pickles” #poultonpouncer

Wellington FC: “Slow start seen us down 2-0 early doors, but we showed great resilience getting back into the game. Both teams had chances to win it, but we take a point and move on.”

Neston Nomads FC: “Excellent team performance against a quality side away from home. @NathanD345 made some big saves, we defended well throughout! Guards hit the bar twice. Off the mark with a hard-earned point”

Woodchurch Rovers: A massive 3 points for us today against a very good @UptonWillowsfc leading 3-0 then switched off allowed them back to score twice and it nearly cost us. But went on to win 3-2, hopefully a first win of many, thanks for the game lads and all the best for the season”.

Athletic VH: “Controlled the game throughout, could have kicked on and won by more on another day. 3/3 to start the season, huge September ahead-up the VH MOTM @lewismckeown4”

Glenavon Athletic: “Clinical again. Forced errors at the back and scored great goals. Three out of three, but plenty of football left to play” MOTM Leigh Carpenter-ran the show”