Houlihan's Press Report 26 January 2025

Birkenhead Sunday League round up Sunday 26th January 2025

Press Secretary Bernie Holmes

Shaftesbury AFC delivered the standout result of the day, eliminating Whitby Rangers with a commanding 3-0 victory in the third round of the David Tacy Cup.

Nathan Hickson stole the show with a superb hat-trick, while Shaftesbury’s defence deserves credit for keeping a clean sheet against a team that has been prolific all season.

Division Two side Higher Bebington Kelma also caused an upset by defeating Division One’s Corsair FC 2-1. Joe Batty and Corey Wilson provided the goals for Kelma, while Leon Clarke scored Corsair’s consolation.

Meanwhile, in fourth-round action, Fender secured their place in the next round with a solid 2-0 win over Eagle & Stirrup, thanks to goals from Billy Rainbow and Ellis Byrne.

AFC Raeburn also eliminated higher placed opposition edging past Eastham Rangers in the Tony Houlihan Memorial Challenge Cup third round. The match ended 2-2 after 90 minutes, with Raeburn’s Leon Connor and Josh Morgan on target, while Eastham replied through Martin Marshall and Sean Williams. Raeburn held their nerve in the penalty shoot-out, winning 4-2 to progress.

West Kirby United cruised into the next round of the Jimmy Core Cup with a resounding 5-1 victory over Fender Youth. Matt Cleary and Robbie Nairn each netted doubles, while Ed Burns added another to complete the scoring.

Premier Division action saw Cheshire Cheese continue their excellent league form, defeating Queens Park 3-1 and dealing a major blow to Queens’s title defence. Cam Nuttall led the charge with a brace, while Dylan White also found the net. Harvey Sample scored Queens Park’s only goal as Cheshire Cheese climbed to second in the league.

Dock AFC maintained their lead at the top of the table with a 6-2 win over Lancelyn Glenavon. Jack Kelly was in inspired form, scoring a hat-trick, while Peter Morgan netted a brace and Jamie Eaton added another. Lancelyn’s goals came from Adam Mitchell and Tom Haines.

KRCT Bidston and Woodchurch played out a rare 0-0 draw, while Wellington and Rock Ferry shared the points in a 1-1 stalemate. Rock Ferry took the lead through Connor Doyle after Wellington were reduced to 10 men, but a late equaliser from Aaron Hughes ensured Wellington a share of the spoils.

In Division One, Rig Move made the most of Whitby Rangers’ absence, closing the gap at the top with a thumping 9-2 victory over AFC Saughall. Billy Nixon, Regan Riach, and Jake Pirie each scored twice, with Mark Reid, Josh McEwen, and Steve Rowlands also on target. Harry Bough netted both of Saughall’s goals.

Neston Nomads were in ruthless form, beating Lions FC 6-2. Luke Blondel was the standout performer with a hat-trick, while Joe Foster, Sam Gostage, and Jamie Gardiner also scored. Lions replied through Mark Head and Sam Langan.

Division two action saw Oxton Celtic knocked off the top of the table after being held to a 1-1 draw by Saughall FC. Casey Ford scored for Oxton, while Owen Wharton equalised for Saughall.

Poulton Victoria S&S took full advantage of Oxton’s slip-up to move into first place with an emphatic 8-1 victory over Woodchurch Rovers. Danny Kendall was the star of the show with four goals, while Brandon Burns scored a hat-trick and Tom Kendall also got on the scoresheet. Ryan Thompson scored a consolation goal for Woodchurch.

Feeney’s were also in scintillating form, with Anthony Rombaut scoring four goals in a 7-1 rout of Catons FC. Mitch Francis, Mark Rand, and Max Carvel added to the tally.

Athletic VH extended their lead at the top of Division Three to 15 points after a 4-1 win over North Wirral Saints. Goals from George Jones, Lewis McKeown, Zak Catesby, and James Dawson secured the victory, with Sam Platt scoring Saints’ only goal.

Glenavon Athletic moved into second place with an 11-1 demolition of Farmers Arms. Paul Keenan and Danny Rowland both notched hat-tricks, Brad Selby scored twice, and Brandon Scott, George Wild, and Ben Stephenson all got on the scoresheet. Jake Raynor netted Farmers Arms’ lone goal.

AFC Tima remain fourth after defeating West Kirby Wasps 4-1, with Tom Hunt and Grant Reay each scoring twice. Harvey New scored for the Wasps.

MSC Eastham beat Parkgate St Germain 2-0 with goals from Alfie Mullins and Andy Grice, while Victoria Colts were 4-1 winners over AFC Rangers, with Cal Lavalle scoring twice and Ryan Jones and Daryl Hellon also finding the net. Rangers’ only goal came via an own goal.

Looking ahead to next Sunday, the semi-finals of the Cheshire Sunday Cup promise an exciting day of action, with at least one team from the Houlihan’s Birkenhead Sunday League guaranteed a place in the final.

Dock will host Bushell Athletic at Vauxhall’s 3G pitch. Meanwhile, Beechwood face a tough trip to Middlewich Town to take on George and Dragon, a side from the Crewe Regional Sunday Premier Division. George and Dragon have already proven their quality this season, having eliminated Birkenhead Sunday League sides Wellington and Queens Park in earlier rounds of the competition. Good luck to all our teams.