TARPORLEY Vics and Hoole Rangers kept their league and cup double hopes alive with comfortable victories on Saturday.
Premier Division leaders Vics reached the third round of the League Cup by beating Brewery Arms 2-0 with goals by Simon Gresty and Henry Buckley, while second-placed Rangers had Ian Hastings (2) and Lennox Beddows on the mark in a 3-0 win at Kydds Athletic.
Cestrian Alex edged Barrow Athletic in a thriller, winning 6-5 after extra-time.
Doubles by Aidy Gough and Paul Finch and further strikes from Martin Graves and Scott Hodges did the damage.
Two goals by Vernon Keep and a Paul Bennion strike gave Waggon & Horses OB a 3-0 home win over Newton Athletic Youth in the Premier Division and Rob Kenningley, Andrew Mitchell, Mike Jeffs and Chris Lloyd earned Chester Nomads Seconds the points in a 4-2 home win against Frodsham United (Nick Pantisides, Lee Allen).
Team Highfield maintained a four-point lead in Division One by hitting Kelsall (Connor McMullan) for six with goals by Gary Ellams, substitute Danny Rose, Adam Lang-ton (2) and Graham Tomlinson (2).
Despite conceding two own goals Duddon United maintained the pressure with a 3-2 home win over Bank of Scotland with goals from Ed Briscoe (2) and Richard Moss.
Martin Hill (2) and Steve Gore gave Crossway a 3-2 victory against Christleton A, while Barrow Athletic Seconds came from 4-0 down to beat local rivals Tarvin Athletic by the odd goal in nine.
Andy Thomas (3), Peter Snelson and Steve Kennedy were their match winners after John McLoughlan, Andy Woodward, Sam Cooper and Ben Arden had netted for the hosts.
