Christleton play it safe

Apr 25 2008 Chester Chronicle

CHRISTLETON breathed a collective sigh of relief after safeguarding their Division One status for another season following Monday’s 2-1 eclipse of relegated Ashville.

It was a good run-out for the Swans, prior to tonight’s Chester Senior Cup final against Highfield Athletic at Little Heath (6.15pm).

On Monday, the Wallasey visitors made it clear that they intended to go down fighting. Man-of-the-match Shaun O’Rourke gave Christleton the lead on 15 minutes and although Ashville equalised two minutes before the interval, O’Rourke bagged the winner in the middle of the second half to confirm the hosts’ ninth win of the campaign.

This has been Christleton’s poorest season in years and the club are hoping that victory this evening will kick-start a much-needed revival.

As the Division One championship nears its conclusion, three teams are still in it battling for supremacy.

On Wednesday, Upton AA were unable to knock Runcorn Town out of the title race as they lost 1-0. Upton, still in with a shout of a top-five finish, gave an excellent account of themselves at Runcorn. The issue was sealed after Simon Burton headed the game’s only goal from a Steve Latham cross on 35 minutes.

Runcorn play West Kirby in a title decider tomorrow. Only a draw would keep Cammell Laird Reserves’ chances alive.

In Division Three, Blacon YC Reserves also had their say in the destination of the title. They beat Bronze Social 4-1 on Monday, with goals from Jamie Barlow (2), Scott Broadbent and Paul Hughes.

Then on Wednesday they travelled to Mossley Hill Athletic and lost 3-0, allowing Athletic to leapfrog Social and win the title.