Houlihan's Press Report 9 March 2025

Birkenhead Sunday Association Football League round-up

Press Secretary Bernie Holmes

Before looking at this week’s fixtures, let us take a quick look back at the key moments from last Sunday (2 March).

Beechwood FC are set to face Lancelyn FC in the prestigious Veronica Conway Cup final after an impressive 2-0 win over Dock FC. Tom Quinn and Morgan Woods put Beechwood two up inside the first 30 minutes, and despite both sides having opportunities after the break, Beechwood held firm to preserve their lead and continue their excellent campaign.

Fender FC also secured a cup final spot, booking their place in the David Tacy final with a resilient performance against Rig Move FC. Despite going down to 10 men early on, Fender regrouped, with striker Billy Rainbow scoring twice, alongside an effort from Mark McNoon.

Meanwhile, in the same competition, Shaftesbury FC triumphed 3-1 over Neston Nomads to progress to the semi-finals, thanks to goals from Nathan Hickson, Eddie Jebb, and Declan Iveson. Luke Blondel netted the lone goal for Neston.

In the BSL Invitational Trophy, Kieran Jones’ solitary strike was enough for Corsair to edge out Poulton Victoria S&S 1-0 and advance to the next round.

Houlihan’s Premier Division action served up an 11-goal thriller between Woodchurch FC and KRCT Bidston. Danny Holmes bagged a hat-trick, while Jake Clarke netted twice with Bidston being unlucky to score two own goals. Bidston hit back with a hat-trick from John Mearns and a goal from Dega Taylor.

In Premier Division action, Cheshire Cheese and Bushell Athletic played out a 2-2 draw, with Jack Fradg and Cam Nuttall on target for Cheese, while Luke Naylor and Dan Keogh replied for Bushell.

Wellington FC earned a comfortable 3-0 win against Rock Ferry Social, with goals from Harry Davies, Nathan Leyland, and Jack Davies.

Division One action saw Whitby Rangers capitalise on Fender’s cup distractions with a 5-0 victory over Eagle & Stirrup. Matty Vickers netted a hat-trick, while Gabe Kwateng and Aiden Hill also scored, narrowing the gap at the top to just four points with three games in hand on Fender.

Division Two leaders, Oxton Celtic, had a free weekend, allowing second-placed Feeneys the chance to take top spot. However, Barkers Sheridans had other ideas, shocking Feeneys with a 1-0 win thanks to a Billy New goal.

Woodchurch Rovers kept pace with a 4-3 win over Upton Town, with braces from Luke Wynne and Lewi Hunt.

Jamie Galloway netted twice, with Nick Evans and Martin Marshall also scoring as Eastham Rangers ran out 4-1 winners against Higher Bebington Kelma, whose only goal came from Liam Grealis.

Wirral Radio earned a 3-2 win over Saughall, with Dan O’Halloran bagging a brace and Matt Lydiate also getting on the scoresheet, while Dylan Sandison and Owen Kelsey replied for Saughall.

Division Three leaders Athletic VH continued their winning streak with a 4-0 victory over West Kirby United, with Cam Meadows netting a hat-trick.

Glenavon Athletic, second in the table, kept the pressure on with a 6-4 win over AFC Tima. George Wild scored twice, and there were further goals from Paul Keenan, Kyran France, Fraser Simpson, and Danny Rowland. Tima’s Grant Raey scored twice, with Tom Hunt and Daniel King also finding the net.

Victoria Colts secured a 4-1 win over Fender Youth, with goals from Gabe Garner, Ryan Jones, Gaz Dickinson, and Ryan Coles, while Tom Strangward netted for Fender.

North Wirral Saints triumphed 4-2 over Farmers Arms, despite goals from James Marshall and Dom Quirk for the visitors. Saints’ Ben Dunn netted a hat-trick, with Callum Sait also on the scoresheet.

MSC Eastham remained in fourth place with a 4-1 win over West Kirby Wasps, with Jamie Duckers scoring twice with Andy Grice and Ben Doyle adding further goals. Patrick Lawler netted Wasps’ lone goal.

On Sunday in the Tony Houlihan’s Memorial Challenge Cup quarter-finals, Dock FC were eliminated from their second successive cup competition this time by Division one side Rig Move. Peter Morgan scored for Dock, while Simon Thelwell found the net for Rig Move to send the game to penalties where Rig Move triumphed 6-5.

Cheshire Cheese have been somewhat of a bogey side for Beechwood this season taking maximum points in the league, This time out though Beechwood progressed to the semi-finals with a hard-earned 1-0 victory thanks to an all-important strike from Rob Cull.

KRCT Bidston secured a commanding 7-2 win over Neston Nomads, with Charlie Holland bagging a hat-trick, John Mearns scoring twice, and goals from Dava Bowe and Joe Dulson completing the victory. Neston’s goals came from Jamie Gardiner and Oscar Ratnaike.

Bushell Athletic also reached the semi-finals with a convincing 4-1 win over Upton Willows, thanks to a hat-trick from striker Leon Jones and a goal from Jacob McLaughlin. Matty Walsh netted for Willows.

In the David Tacy Cup final, Shaftesbury will meet Fender FC after their 4-2 win over Oxton Celtic. Eddie Jebb scored twice, including a spectacular effort from the halfway line, while Joel Brown added a penalty with Ussumne Jalo also netting. Oxton’s Harry Sutton and Ste Hird scored for their side.

In the BSL Invitational Trophy, Woodchurch Rovers secured a 6-3 win over AFC Saughall, with Haydn Berry scoring a hat-trick and further goals from Ryan Thompson, Luke Wynne, and Lewi Hunt.

AFC Rangers triumphed 6-1 over Farmers Arms, with Billy Newman scoring twice and Dan Williams, Damian Gough, Chris Carress, and Shaun Anderson adding further goals. Jamie Williams netted for Farmers.

The clash between Lions FC and North Wirral Saints ended in a dramatic 4-4 draw. Ben Dunn scored a hat-trick for Saints for the second successive week, and Lee Davis added another. Lions replied with a double from Mark Head and goals from Dan Chamney and Sam Langan. In the subsequent shootout, Saints won 5-3.

Queens Park triumphed 8-2 over Great Float FC in Premier Division action, with Liam Owen netting a hat-trick and Harvey Sample adding a brace. Aaron Rainbow and Tommy Randles also scored, while manager Lee Gibson rolled back the years with a goal of his own.

In Division Two, Feeneys bounced back from their disappointing loss to Barkers last week with a 2-0 victory over Eastham Rangers, thanks to goals from Jack Watson and Mark Rand, putting Feeneys back at the top of the table.

Poulton Victoria S&S kept up the pressure, winning 4-3 against Upton Town, with goals from Caine Jones, Danny Kendall, Mark Young, and Tom Price.

Saughall were comfortable 6-2 winners over Higher Bebington Kelma, with Dylan Sandison bagging a hat-trick and Owen Kelsey scoring twice. Andy Noonan also found the net, while David Price and Dylan Owen scored for Kelma.

Barkers Sheridans triumphed 2-1 over Wirral Radio, with Charlie Weir and Jay Weir on target, while Conor Eagan replied for Wirral Radio.

The Division Three title race shows no signs of letting up with front runners Athletic VH securing another victory this time a 2-0 win against Parkgate St Germain. Zak Catesby and Lewis McKeowne both scored for Athletic.

Athletic lead the way with a 9-point lead over second-placed Glenavon Athletic who have three games in hand but with Athletic’s superior goal difference being a major factor, Glenavon will have to find their shooting boots. On Sunday, they secured a 5-0 win against MSC Eastham to close some of the gap. Ben Stevenson, Paul Keenan, George Wild, Danny Rowland and Brad Selby all scored for Glenavon.

AFC Tima had Mike Redgrift on fine form as he bagged a hat-trick while Grant Reay and Tom Hunt also bagged to see them run out convincing 5-1 winners against West Kirby United who had Matt Cleary on target.

Meanwhile, Fender Youth defeated West Kirby Wasps by the odd goal in five. Gabe Bratu, Harvey Edwards and Declan O’Brien all netted for Fender while Toby Murray and Paddy Lawler scored for Wasps.

Victoria Colts secured another victory this time a 2-1 victory over AFC Raeburn, Gaz Dickinson and Ryan Coles were the Colts’ scorers while Jack Hoijord scored Raeburn’s consolation goal.