Staying alive

May 9 2008 by Alec Doyle, Chester Chronicle

A STUNNING 4-0 victory at Hale ensured St Werburgh’s would not have to seek re-election to the Carlsberg West Cheshire League Division Three.

The surprise win came thanks to efforts from Shaun Campbell (2) Scott Skien and Phil Ritzema.

Safety meant the Saints could relax in their final game where despite a goal from Steve Roberts, they tumbled 6-1 at Richmond Raith Rovers.

Blacon YC Reserves gave promoted champions, Mossley Hill Athletic, a bitter going away present at Cairns Crescent.

Goals from Paul Joiner (2), Jamie Barlow and Mike Henderson gave the Chester team a 4-3 victory.

Blacon finished their season last night, as The Chronicle went to press, with a home match against Manor Athletic.

Neighbours Upton AA Reserves finished the season in ninth place, one better than the previous year despite achieving a smaller points total this season.

Upton’s senior side wound up their programme in Division One with a 3-1 home defeat to third placed Runcorn Town, Ollie Robinson plundering Upton’s only goal.

Malpas miss out

MALPAS lost out in the Commander Ethelston Cup Final to Whitchurch Alport on Monday.

A scrappy goal from Roy Cardus 15 minutes from time gave the runners up some consolation after a nightmare first half saw them concede three.

“We were appalling in the first half,” said player manager Robbie McWilliams. “They deserved to be 3-0 up. I had some words to say at half-time and the second half was a lot better.

“We created a lot more chances and if we had taken more of them we could have made things a bit more interesting.”

Malpas lost 1-0 at Crewe FC in Cheshire League Division Two on Wednesday night. They finish the season at Daten tomorrow.

Tarporley Vics eventually came out on top at Monk in Saturday’s league clash notching up a superb 3-0 away win.

Vics took the lead on 20 minutes as Alex Moore cleverly flicked home a corner.

In the second half in-form Aaron Brown made it 2-0. The third came from the penalty spot as Henry Buckley was fouled in the box and converted the spot-kick himself.

Vics host champions FC United Reserves tomorrow (3pm ko).

Weather beaten

THE weather played havoc with the latter stages of the Chester Sunday League with half of last weekend’s fixtures postponed due to thunderstorms.

Of the games which survived Lache Athletic beat Lock Vaults 3-2 in the Financial Solutions League Cup Final.

On a very wet pitch, Joey Walters bagged a hat-trick including a very late winner when the scores were finely balanced at 2-2.

In Concorde Trophies Section A, Castrol Swan and Bouverie Orient were truly inseparable as they finished 4-4.

Chester Chronicle Section B saw Upton YC come back from 3-1 down to win 5-3 at Royal Oak.

Mike Hayes (2) and Nathan Mapletoft gave Oak the lead but doubles from Mike Garrod and Pat Walsh plus one from Lee Walsh handed the points to Upton.