FOUR points in as many days has moved First Division Castrol Social out of the bottom two at the expense of neighbours Ellesmere Port.
Castrol edged out Pyke Cup finalists West Kirby 1-0 last Wednesday thanks to a Rob Shepherd goal before keeping another clean sheet on Saturday as they drew 0-0 at Heswall.
The Oilmen are now above Port on goal difference (minus 25 to minus 34), so as long as they avoid a couple of results by an aggregate of nine goals in their last two games, they will finish above the relegation places.
But whichever of our sides finish second bottom, they could still be saved by league restruc-turing, particularly if runnersup Cammell Laird take up a place in the North West Counties League.
At the other end of the table, Newton were crowned Division One champions for the first time since 1962 as they routed base-ment side Helsby 10-0.
Despite having a West Cheshire Bowl final to look forward to against Heswall Reserves at Cammell Laird, Capen-hurst Villa look to be joining Willaston on their way down from Division Two after they were beaten 2-1 twice at home by Blacon YC and Maghull Reserves.
Blacon triumphed despite Steve Pinnington's goal while John Keefe's goal on Monday was not enough as strikes from Lee Peagrove and Joe Graine gave the Maghull victory.
The loss confirms Villa in a bottom two relegation placing although, like our Division One sides battling the drop, they may yet be saved by league restruc-turing.
However, if they do go down, the club would be forced to forfeit their reserve side that currently ply their trade in the Third Division.
Meanwhile, Willaston will be returning to the Third Division after just a season in the Second, after a 3-1 home reversal to New Brighton confirmed their place at the foot of the table.
Mike Mosedale hit their consolation.
In Third Division derby action, Ellesmere Port's second string wrapped up their season on a winning note, with a 6-1 thrashing of Grange Athletic courtesy of a Phil Coffin hat-trick, a Dave Hall brace and Paul Shepherd effort, while John Reynolds hit Grange's solitary strike.
Last week, Vauxhall A gave a good account of themselves in the Wirral FA Amateur Cup final but were edged out 2-1 in a gripping contest by Heswall Reserves at Ashville, despite Danny McNicholas' goal.
Fixtures - Friday (7pm) - Cheshire Amateur Cup final at Vauxhall FC: Barnston v Poulton Victoria.
Saturday (3pm) - Division One: West Kirby v Castrol Social.
Division Three: Capenhurst Villa Res v West Kirby Res.
Monday (7.30pm) - Division One: Cammell Laird v Castrol Social; Vauxhall Res v Ashville.
