Astley’s Dream Turns to Nightmare as Cherrybrook Stages Stunning Comeback

Before the action kicked off, teams across the league paused to honor Remembrance Sunday, paying their respects with a solemn minute’s silence. Players, coaches, and fans stood side by side, heads bowed in reflection for those who served. In this touching tribute, each team united in a moment of remembrance before they returned to the competitive spirit of the day’s fixtures. It was a powerful reminder of the shared history and resilience that brings communities together, both on and off the field.

Wyre Villa Reserves v Walmer Bridge Reserves

Bickerstaffe (Liverpool CFA Junior Cup)

Premiership

Broughton Amateurs 4-3 Preston Wanderers
In a thrilling seven-goal showdown, Broughton Amateurs held off a relentless Preston Wanderers for a narrow 4-3 victory. The home side struck first, with James Charlson bagging two, proving his place as the man to watch. Liam Bell also got on the scoresheet, and Oliver Jones made a memorable mark as a sub, securing Broughton’s lead. Preston Wanderers didn’t make it easy, though – Lewis Scanlon’s brace and a well-placed goal by Charlie Swindlehurst kept the tension high until the final whistle. This clash had the crowd buzzing, and both sides left it all on the pitch.

Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs 2-2 Eccleston & Heskin
In a match that turned out to be an exercise in resilience, Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs were held to a 2-2 draw against Eccleston & Heskin. Jack Barton’s goal put the home side ahead, and when Joseph Ramsey doubled the advantage, it looked like Southport had this one in the bag. But Eccleston had other plans, with David McMillan finding the net in the 70th minute to shift the momentum. Then, just eight minutes later, Liam Banks fired in an equalizer, leaving the Southport faithful feeling both thrilled and robbed.

Tarleton Corinthians 2-1 Highgrove
This one took a while to warm up, but Tarleton Corinthians and Highgrove delivered a hard-fought 2-1 battle in the second half. With Daniel Hammond subbed off for Highgrove in the 30th minute, the game saw no breakthroughs in the first half. However, the second half exploded into life when George David Carrington’s strike in the 55th minute broke the deadlock. Ten minutes later, Lewis Bannister doubled the lead with a powerful finish, energizing the Tarleton fans.

But Highgrove wasn’t ready to call it a day. Bradley Diamond pulled one back in the 75th minute, giving Highgrove a glimmer of hope. The back-and-forth substitutions, including Adam Railton for Harvey Ogley, kept Highgrove on their toes, but Tarleton’s defense held firm to seal the 2-1 victory.

Walmer Bridge 2-1 Shevington
Walmer Bridge managed to edge out Shevington 2-1 in a match filled with anticipation. The home side took the lead early on, with Liam Goggin scoring in the 20th minute, putting them 1-0 up at halftime. They extended their lead in the 60th minute with a goal from Dominic Case, who capitalized on a defensive lapse by Shevington.

Louie Fitzpatrick then injected life into the game for Shevington with a goal in the 71st minute, cutting the deficit to one and setting up a tense finish. However, Walmer Bridge’s defense proved resilient enough to weather the storm, holding onto their lead until the final whistle.

Division One

Appley Bridge 4-3 Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs Reserves
Appley Bridge fans were on their feet early, as Jack Lappin opened the scoring in spectacular style with a 25-yard shot that sailed straight into the net in the 12th minute. Rhys Evan made it 2-0 on the half-hour mark, with a strike that might have enjoyed a tiny helping hand from a deflection. Just four minutes later, Danny Atkins added a third, turning in a sharp low cross to seemingly seal the game. But Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs Reserves had other ideas, clawing one back just before halftime with a 30-yard rocket that flew past the keeper.

The second half saw Southport & Ainsdale ramp up the pressure. They narrowed the gap to 3-2 in the 50th minute, keeping Appley Bridge on their toes. However, Danny Atkins showed his knack for clutch moments, pushing Appley Bridge’s lead to 4-2 with some quick work in the box by the 55th. The tension wasn’t over yet, as Southport’s center forward unleashed another screamer from over 25 yards in the 70th minute, making it 4-3. The final whistle was a relief for Appley Bridge, who survived a late onslaught to take the win.

Astley FC 3-3 Cherrybrook
Astley FC looked ready to cruise to victory as Luke Robinson put on a first-half masterclass, scoring twice in just three minutes (38’ and 41’) to give Astley a strong 2-0 lead. Just before halftime, Josh Hurst made it 3-0 with a brilliant finish that had the fans cheering loudly as the teams headed off the pitch.

But Cherrybrook came storming back in the second half. Tommy Harban started the comeback with a goal in the 58th minute, setting the tone for a thrilling close to the match. Jack Thorogood turned hero for Cherrybrook, netting in both the 77th and 87th minutes to complete an incredible comeback and tie the game 3-3. Astley fans were left stunned as Cherrybrook’s resilience won the day in this dramatic six-goal thriller.

Cube FC 3-3 Sir Tom Finney
In a six-goal thriller, Cube FC and Sir Tom Finney went toe-to-toe in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle. The visitors drew first blood in the 35th minute, with James Greenwood scoring to give Sir Tom Finney the lead heading into halftime. But Cube FC came roaring back in the second half, with Malakai Mckenzie equalizing shortly after the break and Ismail Matadar adding another to put Cube FC up 2-1. When Mckenzie struck again to make it 3-1, it looked like Cube FC had this one wrapped up.

Enter Sir Tom Finney’s super-sub Shadrac Arsein! In the 65th minute, Arsein made an immediate impact by cutting the deficit to 3-2, sparking fresh hope for his side. Cube FC held on tightly, but in the 88th minute, Arsein struck again, netting the equalizer and breaking Cube FC hearts. A true showcase of resilience and drama, the match ended in a hard-fought 3-3 draw, with both teams leaving the field exhausted but undoubtedly entertained.

Hoole United 3-2 Leyland RAFA FC
Hoole United burst onto the pitch with an explosive start, as Alfie Parker scored just two minutes in to put them 1-0 up. Seven minutes later, Adam Thomas doubled the lead, leaving Leyland RAFA FC reeling. Leyland, however, pulled one back through Richard Coley just before halftime to keep their hopes alive.

The second half saw both teams trading quick goals in the 60th minute. Ben Rooke restored Hoole’s two-goal lead, but Leyland’s Jordan Griffiths responded immediately, closing the gap to 3-2. Despite a relentless push from Leyland, Hoole United held firm to take the narrow victory in this high-energy encounter.

Ribchester Rovers 0-2 AFC Ainsdale
Ribchester Rovers barely had time to settle before AFC Ainsdale’s Liam Mackie found the net in the opening minute, putting the visitors ahead. The match saw some determined defense from both sides, and despite several close calls, it remained 1-0 at halftime.

In the second half, Mackie struck again in the 76th minute to make it 2-0, sealing the win for AFC Ainsdale. Ribchester fought hard to break through, but Mackie’s early and late goals proved to be the deciding factors in this tightly contested match.

Division Two

Marsh United 2-0 Castle FC
Marsh United held the fort and then some, shutting down Castle FC in a determined 2-0 victory. The action started in the 23rd minute when Aaron Hoyle found the back of the net with a precision strike that left Castle’s keeper squinting into the distance, wondering where the ball had gone. Hoyle’s goal was the only bit of shine in a gritty first half, and both teams headed to halftime with Castle plotting a way back.

But Marsh United had other plans. Just before the hour mark, Connor Wallis doubled the lead with a shot that was more “wallop” than Wallis, rocketing past the keeper and effectively putting the game to bed. Castle FC tried to storm Marsh’s gates, but their efforts were about as effective as a raincoat in a monsoon. Marsh’s defense held strong, sealing a clean sheet and a well-earned victory.

Westgate Hawks 5-1 Astley FC Reserves
The Westgate Hawks swooped down on Astley FC Reserves in a 5-1 rout that had the crowd entertained and Astley scratching their heads. Devon Hill kicked things off in the 14th minute with a smooth opener, only for Astley to retaliate in the 33rd minute with a quick equalizer from Tom Carter, who celebrated like he’d found a pot of gold. But halftime seemed to pump the Hawks full of energy, and they came back with feathers blazing.

The second half belonged entirely to Westgate. Sub Edward Harrison took just 13 minutes to make his mark, slotting in a goal to reclaim the lead in the 58th. After that, Thomas Bennett got in on the action, adding a third for the Hawks in the 64th. Devon Hill wasn’t about to let Bennett steal the spotlight, so he struck again in the 78th to make it 4-1. Finally, Daniel Wilson put the cherry on top with a goal in the 87th minute, closing out the match with a resounding 5-1 scoreline. Astley may have come in with high hopes, but the Hawks left them feeling like they’d been on the wrong end of a particularly sharp beak.

Division Three

Middleton & Overton Sports Reserves 2-0 Chipping FC A
Middleton & Overton Sports Reserves came out firing in a swift first half, claiming a 2-0 victory over Chipping FC A. Jamie McGowan was the hero of the hour, notching two goals within ten minutes – the first in the 15th and the second in the 25th minute – putting Middleton comfortably in control by halftime. McGowan’s clinical finishing had the crowd on their feet, setting the stage for a confident showing.

The second half was a story of tactical adjustments, with Middleton making a flurry of substitutions. Benjamin Whitla, Michael Otoo, Ethan Brahney, and Elliott Mooring made way for fresh legs as Aidan Croskery, Josh Stachurski, Michael Nye, and Callum Leamy took the field. Middleton’s reshuffled squad maintained their defensive shape, preventing any comeback attempt from Chipping and cruising to a satisfying win.

Shevington Reserves 4-0 Bay Rangers FC A
Shevington Reserves brought their A-game, dominating Bay Rangers FC A in a comfortable 4-0 triumph. Jack White opened the scoring to give Shevington the lead, and Sam Newton doubled it before halftime, setting Shevington up with a healthy advantage as they went into the break.

The second half saw no let-up from Shevington. Ben Tunstall fired home for 3-0, and Jordan Dainty rounded off the scoring with a fourth, sealing Bay Rangers’ fate. It was a masterclass in teamwork, with Shevington maintaining their stronghold over the game from start to finish, much to the delight of the home fans.

Wyre Villa Reserves 4-0 Walmer Bridge Reserves
Wyre Villa Reserves put on a dazzling display, cruising to a 4-0 win over Walmer Bridge Reserves, and the star of the show was none other than Zach Crosbie. He had his shooting boots firmly laced up, bagging a first-half brace to give Wyre Villa an early 2-0 lead before the break. Crosbie’s clinical finishing left the opposition scrambling, and fans wondering if they were witnessing a one-man highlight reel.

The second half continued in the same vein, as Crosbie completed his hat-trick, much to the delight of the home crowd. And as if that wasn’t enough, Wyre Villa added a cherry on top with a fourth goal from substitute Toby Smith, who made his mark on the game and sealed the emphatic victory.

Liverpool County FA Intermediate Cup

Bickerstaffe Reserves 2-11 The Martyrs
It was a rough day at the office for Bickerstaffe Reserves as they faced a goal-hungry Martyrs team, ultimately falling 2-11 in a match that saw goals flying in from every angle. Bickerstaffe did have a couple of shining moments, with Dale Flynn and Arron Hodge each finding the back of the net, but it wasn’t enough to slow down the Martyrs’ onslaught. Despite the lopsided scoreline, Bickerstaffe’s fans kept their spirits up, cheering on their side through every twist and turn.

The Martyrs seemed determined to make a statement, and they certainly did with this comprehensive performance. For Bickerstaffe Reserves, it’s one to put behind them and learn from as they look forward to their next fixture.

Mexoc 3-1 Fleetwood Hesketh
Fleetwood Hesketh fought hard but ultimately came up short against Mexoc in a 3-1 contest. Michael Worth provided Fleetwood’s lone spark of joy with a well-taken goal that kept hopes alive, but Mexoc proved just too strong on the day, controlling the play and finding their way to the scoresheet three times. The battle was intense, with Fleetwood’s Frankie Pearson picking up a yellow card as tempers flared.

Despite the setback, Fleetwood Hesketh displayed resilience and a fighting spirit. It wasn’t their day, but their loyal supporters will surely be looking forward to a chance at redemption in the next match.

Liverpool County FA Junior Cup

Bickerstaffe 2-1 Mossley Hill Athletic U21
Bickerstaffe edged out Mossley Hill Athletic U21 in a 2-1 thriller to move forward in the LCFA Junior Cup. Josh Grive opened the scoring in style, confidently slotting in a penalty to give the home side an early lead. With momentum on their side, Bickerstaffe kept pushing, and just before halftime, Alex Grisdale found the net to make it 2-0, sending Bickerstaffe into the break with a solid cushion.

The second half saw Mossley Hill mount a comeback attempt, scoring to cut the lead to 2-1, but Bickerstaffe’s defense held firm. The final whistle confirmed their hard-earned victory and a step closer in the Cup, leaving fans dreaming of a deep run in the competition.

Rainhill Town Reserves 5-1 Burscough Dynamo
It was a challenging outing for Burscough Dynamo as they succumbed to a 5-1 defeat at the hands of Rainhill Town Reserves. Curtis Carberry provided a silver lining with a well-taken goal, keeping Dynamo’s supporters cheering even as Rainhill showed their attacking prowess.

Rainhill came out firing on all cylinders, leaving Dynamo with little chance to counter. Despite the tough result, Burscough Dynamo showed determination, and Carberry’s strike provided a glimmer of positivity in an otherwise tough game.