Saturday’s fixtures delivered goals, drama, and standout performances across all divisions. Eccleston & Heskin edged a five-goal thriller at Highgrove, while Marsh United hit six in a rampant display. In Division One, New Longton Rovers and Castle FC impressed with dominant wins, and Sir Tom Finney FC produced a late surge to overcome Westgate Hawks. Division Two saw big victories for Lostock St Gerards Blue and Chipping FC A, with Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs A and Shevington Reserves also sealing solid wins. An action-packed weekend full of excitement from start to finish.
PREMIERSHIP
Highgrove 2-3 Eccleston & Heskin
What a thriller this turned out to be! Eccleston & Heskin drew first blood through Charlie Simmons on ten minutes, but Highgrove quickly levelled when Callum Rodgers struck back midway through the first half. The visitors regained the advantage just before the break courtesy of Alex Brooks, putting them in control at the interval.
In the second half, Scott Snape extended the lead with a cool finish on 76 minutes to make it 3–1, and although Luke Bradley’s late goal gave Highgrove hope, Eccleston & Heskin held on for a big away win in an end-to-end encounter.
Hoole United 1-1 Broughton Amateurs AFC
Honours were even as Hoole United and Broughton Amateurs shared the spoils. Reagan Mitchell gave Hoole the early edge with a well-taken strike in the 16th minute, but Broughton’s Chris McCrudden responded to level things up. Both sides had chances to nick it late on, but a point apiece was a fair reflection of a tightly contested affair.
Marsh United 6-2 Tarleton Corinthians
Marsh United were in rampant form, brushing aside Tarleton Corinthians in a goal-laden clash. Fynlay Robert Wren opened the scoring early, only for Lewis Bannister to equalise on 20 minutes. After the break, Marsh took control — James McVittie restored their lead before George Carrington’s leveller briefly gave Tarleton hope.
But that hope was short-lived. Josh Staniforth and Aaron Hoyle tore through the visitors’ backline, scoring four goals in just 20 minutes — Hoyle netting twice and Staniforth adding two of his own to complete a scintillating 6–2 rout. Marsh were irresistible going forward.
Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs 1-4 Astley FC
Astley FC delivered a commanding away performance, running out 4–1 winners over Southport & Ainsdale. The home side’s Oliver Riley found the net, but it was the visitors who stole the show, with goals from Tom Crook, Adam Henshall, James Knott and Luke Robinson ensuring a comprehensive victory.
Walmer Bridge 2-2 Standish St Wilfrids
Walmer Bridge and Standish St Wilfrids served up an entertaining 2–2 draw that had twists right to the final whistle. The hosts got off to a flying start when Keyton Henry broke the deadlock on 18 minutes, slotting home to give Walmer an early advantage. However, Standish responded swiftly, as Samir Sobeih levelled the score just four minutes later with a tidy finish to ensure the sides went into the break all square after an evenly matched first half.
The second half continued at a lively pace, with both teams pushing for control. Walmer thought they had done enough to secure the win when Dominic Case restored their lead on 75 minutes, capping off a spell of sustained pressure. But Standish, showing great resilience, refused to roll over. With time ticking away, Robbie Heaton pounced in the 83rd minute to make it 2–2, rescuing a deserved point for the visitors in a game that could easily have gone either way.
DIVISION ONE
Astley FC Reserves 1-0 Middleton & Overton Sports FC
A tight contest decided by fine margins, as Sam Parkinson’s solitary goal proved enough to hand Astley Reserves all three points. A solid defensive display ensured they saw the game out comfortably.
Castle FC 4-1 AFC Ainsdale
Castle FC came from behind in style after trailing 1–2 at the break. Jordan Potter’s early strike gave them a platform, and in a thrilling late surge, Matthew Thomson, Jamie Scott, and Alex Cooper all found the net to complete a dominant turnaround. A statement win for Castle.
New Longton Rovers 3-0 Marsh United Reserves
New Longton Rovers produced a commanding first-half display to sweep aside Marsh United Reserves with a 3–0 victory. The hosts wasted no time asserting themselves, taking the lead inside two minutes through Zachary Craig’s sharp finish. Their intensity never dropped, and the pressure paid off again on 35 minutes when Harry Hardacre doubled the advantage with a composed strike. Before Marsh could regroup, Dylan Agnew added a third just six minutes later, giving Rovers a comfortable cushion at the break.
In the second half, New Longton managed the game with real maturity, controlling possession and keeping Marsh pinned back in their own half. The visitors battled hard to find a way back into the contest but struggled to break down a disciplined Rovers defence. It was a performance full of energy and precision from the home side, who looked in complete control throughout and fully deserving of their clean sheet and three points.
Sir Tom Finney FC 4–2 Westgate Hawks
Sir Tom Finney produced a late flourish to overcome Westgate Hawks. Conor Garrett’s opener on 28 minutes was followed by a spell of pressure from the visitors, but the hosts came alive in the closing stages. Substitute Kae-jay Gladstone struck in the 82nd before Charlie Wallace bagged a brilliant late brace inside two minutes (88, 89) to secure the win. Charlie Cottam and Devon Hill were on target for the Hawks, but Finney’s firepower proved too much in the end.
Standish St Wilfrids Reserves 2-1 Wyre Villa
Alexander Favell was the hero for Standish’s reserves, scoring twice in the first half to set his side on course for victory. Toby Smith pulled one back for Wyre Villa, but the hosts held firm to clinch an important 2–1 win.
Tarleton Corinthians A 3-5 Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs Reserves
A goal fest in Division One as Southport & Ainsdale Reserves edged an eight-goal thriller. Jack Osborne gave them the lead on 20 minutes before Tomas Wright doubled it. Tarleton hit back through David Yeates, but Osborne struck again instantly to restore the two-goal cushion before the break.
The second half brought more fireworks — Kyle Reeman made it 4–1 before Ben Bucanan hit a quickfire double to drag Tarleton back into contention. However, Conor Bligh’s late strike in the 87th minute sealed the 5–3 victory for the visitors in a pulsating contest.
DIVISION TWO
Bay Rangers FC 2-5 Chipping FC A
Bay Rangers were undone by a sharp Chipping FC A side despite goals from Younis Al-Sayaghi and Sean Upjohn. Al-Sayaghi’s effort, set up by Jose Ramirez, was a bright spot for the hosts, but Chipping’s finishing proved too clinical as they ran out 5–2 winners.
Lostock St Gerards Blue 7-1 AFC AInsdale Reserves
A ruthless performance from Lostock St Gerards Blue, who demolished Ainsdale Reserves in style. Daniel Rowland bagged a brace, with Jack Thompson also striking twice, while Oliver Snape and Joseph Topley added their names to the scoresheet. A complete display that sent a message to the rest of the division.
Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs A 2-0 New Longton Rovers Reserves
A solid home win for Southport & Ainsdale A, driven by a brace from Patrick Devlin. His composure in front of goal ensured a comfortable 2–0 victory and another clean sheet to boot.
Southport Trinity 0–2 Shevington Reserves
Shevington Reserves impressed on the road, securing a professional 2–0 win at Southport Trinity. The visitors were organised, clinical, and fully deserving of the points.
Wyre Villa Reserves 0–2 Appley Bridge Development
Appley Bridge Development grabbed a tidy away win with a composed 2–0 victory at Wyre Villa Reserves. The visitors looked sharp throughout, maintaining their momentum in Division Two.
LIVERPOOL FA INTERMEDIATE CUP – Round 1
Parklands Reserves 11–0 Fleetwood Hesketh
A difficult day for Fleetwood Hesketh as Parklands Reserves ran riot in an emphatic 11–0 win. The home side were relentless from start to finish, leaving no doubt about their quality and intent in this year’s competition.