Chester & Wirral secretary Paul Graham was proud of the league’s representative side despite their 7-1 drubbing at the hands of Isle of Man.
The team was well beaten by the holders in the first round of the FA National Inter League Cup competition.
They only had Gino King’s 90th minute penalty a consolation for their efforts at Chester FC’s Lookers Vauxhall Stadium on Saturday.
But Mr Graham was pleased with the outfit’s battling qualities during their debut in the competition, which pits the best grassroots footballers from leagues across the country against each other.
He said: “I could not have been prouder of our team. We knew that we had a huge challenge before us but we met it head on and gave it our best shot.
“The CWFL put on, both on and off the field, shows the huge potential of the league.
“Thanks to thank Andy Dutton and his coaches Chris Timms, Steve Leftley and Dale Gilmartin, as well as the players. They have shown great commitment.
“Thanks also to our committee, and to Chester FC who have shown this city that they are a true community club with the community at heart.
“Jon McCarthy, especially, for taking training with the team on a weekly basis.
“They have allowed us the use of this fantastic arena and I know that the Isle of Man have been blown away by the superb facilities and hospitality that they have enjoyed here.”
CWFL keeper Josh Atkins was named man-of-the-match after his stunning stops kept the visitors at bay for spells, but the holders had too much quality to be denied a comfortable win.
The CWFL will now look at other options for their representative side, and are also considering entering a masters tournament using a team made up from players in the Veterans Division.
League round-up
Due to the representative game taking place, only five regular league fixtures went ahead.
In Link Up Division Two, Woodchurch Athletic Reserves (Ben Robinson, Mark Roberts 3) beat Ellesmere Port Spartans 4-1.
Eastham Athletic (Mike Foulkes) edged New Ferry Rangers thanks 1-0.
In the CWFL Tarvin Precision Veterans Division, Nags Head Bunbury Vets (Jonny Stubbs, Dan McElroy, Martin Bebington, Ian Atkins, John Brown) hammered Newton Athletic Vets 5-0.
Dee Rangers (Vincent Burden 4, Jamie Roberts 2) overcame Tattenhall Vets 6-3.
Blacon Youth Vets (Lee Whelan 2, Andrew Bale, John Dowridge) pipped Plough Vets (Liam Goulding, Jeff Penn) 4-3.
Welsh Premier League
Depleted Airbus UK Broughton made it six games unbeaten in all competitions as they cruised into the quarter-finals of the Word Cup on Tuesday.
For the second time in three days the Wingmakers were reduced to 10 men, as Charlie Short – one of nine academy youngsters in the squad – was harshly dismissed for a mistimed tackle after half an hour against Mid Wales League leaders Penrhyncoch.
Tony Gray’s fourth goal in three games gave Andy Preece’s side the lead on 48 minutes.
Teenager James Murphy made it 2-0 with this third of the season on the hour-mark, a spectacular dipping effort from 25 yards out.
“It’s a pity it wasn’t on TV – it was an absolute screamer,” said director of football Preece.
Preece was quick to praise his young players after back-to-back wins.
He added: “To have five academy players start and end with seven of them on the pitch is testament to our youth set-up.
“When I came to the club there were no players coming through. Now we have academy lads in the first team at a club which has played in Europe for the past three years. I think we’re unique in that respect.”
Seven of the nine Airbus players who finished the hard-fought 2-1 over Haverfordwest County last weekend were youth team graduates.
Preece will again have to rely on his teenage contingent for this Saturday’s trip to Maesdu Park to take on Llandudno FC (2.30pm).
West Cheshire League
Upton AA pulled off an excellent 3-0 win over second-placed Newton in Division One.
Lee Guirado bagged a brace and Darren Wallace in the success.
Blacon Youth Club (Alan Dorian, Aaron Hinchcliffe, Sam Davies, Matt Jones) overcame Mossley Hill Athletic (Tom McNamara) 4-1.
In Division Two, Kevin Leech plundered the game’s only goal as Vauxhall Motors Reserves triumphed at Neston Nomads.
Heswall Reserves (Keiran Hughes) went down 3-1 to Division Three pacesetters Helsby Reserves, who went six points clear at the top thanks to goals from Alex Hale, Kev Hughes and Steve Woodward.
Mersey Royal (John Pomfret) edged nine-man Capenhurst Villa Reserves 1-0, while Ashville Reserves (Ned Davies) drew 1-1 with Ellesmere Port Town (Lee Lugate).
Jamie Hersworth and Anton Jolley netted for Newton Reserves but they lost 5-2 at the hands of Chester Nomads Reserves. Kai Stockton (3), Janes Tucker and Charlie Mann did the damage.
Cheshire League
Chris Bevan snatched a late leveller to earn Malpas a 3-3 draw with Gamesley on Saturday.
The point taken from a pulsating affair has left them fifth in the Premier Division.
Malpas took an early lead through Andy Morris, and they led 2-1 at the break thanks to Alex Hughes.
But they trailed 3-2 until Bevan grabbed a share of the spoils.
In League One, Tarporley Victoria went down 3-0 to Altrincham Reserves.
Chester Sunday League
AFC Bears Paw moved up to second in Concorde Trophies Section A thanks to a 2-1 win over Highfield Horses on Sunday.
Goals from Adam Hinchcliffe and Mattie Vickers either side of the break put them in charge, but they had to hold on after Edon Jacko pulled one back for Horses.
Bear missed a chance to make it safe when Tommy Harris missed a late penalty.
Axis United (Elliot Pryce) were hammered 6-1 by Vicars Cross (Todd Reid, Mike Pierce, Gary Handley 2, Mike Flavel 2).
Custom House (Andy Hornsby) were edged 2-1 by FC Hickory’s (Jack Gittins 2), while Dee Rangers (Oli Stephens, Diziano Galdy) went down 5-2 to St Theresa’s.
In the Wirral & District FA Cup, Purple Oliver (Jamie Gibb, Joel Tunstall, Keith Robinson, Wayne Manning 2) eased into round two with a 5-1 win at the expense of Star Ozzy’s FC.
In the Cheshire Sports Club Sunday League Cup, Spital Vaults shocked Section A champions AFC Saltney with a 3-1 victory.
They fell behind to a Liam McGovern’s cheeky back heel, but bounced back with goals from Ian Hughes, Mat Astbury and Paul Williams.
Aaron Ewarts and Josh Leech were on target in a 3-2 victory for Waverton over Chester Riley’s (Lewis Bradley, Sam Pickering) in the Bill Gresty Memorial Trophy first round.
In Section B, strikes from Colin Mutete, Paul Ravenscroft, Glen Coppack and Ross Farquhar earned Tattenhall their first win of the season at the expense of Holdi.
Upton Youth Centre went goal crazy in an 8-1 demolition of West Park Rangers (Kyle Shaw).
Mathew Crank bagged a hat-trick and Brad Clewley notched his first goal in 12 years.
Michael Bowl (2), Dean Houston and Tom Fellows were also on target.
Chester & District Girls
Yasmin Spencer plundered four goals as Chester & District Under 11 Colts impressed in their double-header.
Yasmin and Cassandra Burgess were on target in a 2-2 draw with Hartford FC Hurricanes, while her hat-trick was supplemented by Sienna Lewis and Ruby Wilbraham in a 5-0 win over Runcorn Linnets.
Izzy Jones and Ellie Montagu also bagged four each for the U11 Zebras in big wins over Crewe & Nantwich (9-0) and Crosfields (4-0).
Cadie Griffiths (2), Lily Jenkins, Demi O’Sullivan and Eleanor Peacock also hit the net.
The U13s pipped Egerton 3-2, while Amy McDermott’s treble helped the U15s to beat Manor Exocets 8-1.
