RECENTLY released from Tranmere Rovers, Jamie McGuire made a telling contribution for Carlsberg West Cheshire League Division One leaders Cammell Laird, scoring a stunning hat-trick in Saturday's 5-1 victory at Castrol Social.
That keeps Lairds a point ahead of nearest rivals Newton in the race for the title. Further efforts from Ian Cooke and John Morgan completed the statistics, with Neil Clarke obliging for the Oilmen.
With games in hand however, Newton are still in the driving seat and remained in the leaders' slipstream after efforts from Lee Furlong and Joe Doran secured a hard earned 2-0 result against General Chemicals.
Mark Horrigan and Colin O'Hanlon were the respective marksmen as Maghull finished 1-1 with Heswall, while a solitary strike from Kristian Hale earned Vauxhall Reserves the nod over MANWEB.
Beaten only once in the last six outings, Mallaby continued their promising run by winning 2-1 at Aintree Villa after Carl Finlay had given the home side the lead with a neat header. Ben England equal-ised soon afterwards and Mark Galer netted the winner 10 minutes from time. A rare goal from Poulton Vics' Dave Huyton was cancelled out by a reply from Ellesmere Port's John Powell.
Division Two leaders Merseyside Police stayed on course for promotion after winning 3-1 at bottom club Capenhurst Villa, Chris Killen (2) and Lee Welsh finding the net, but second-placed Cammell Laird Reserves maintained interest at the top, Brian McIlroy plundering the game's only goal at Heswall Reserves.
Mersey Royal's outside chances of promotion from Division Three disappeared after they were eclipsed 3-2 by current leaders, MANWEB Reserves.
Nearest rivals West Kirby Reserves took another step nearer Division Two football next season after Ben Pollard, Chris Whitely and Peter Talman scored in the 3-0 success at Mond Rangers Reserves.
A four-goal salvo from Simon Andrews put holders Upton AA Res on course for the Chester Challenge Cup semi-finals, following Saturday's 6-0 demolition of Blacon YC Reserves.
Midweek action saw Poulton Vics win through to the Cheshire FA Amateur Cup final against Barnton after beating Ashville 3-2.
West Cheshire followers are reminded that the Pyke Cup semi-final between Newton and West Kirby takes place tonight at Cammell Laird, 7pm kick-off and at the same time, Maghull Reserves tackle Halewood Town in the Liverpool Junior Cup final at the Liverpool FA ground, Walton.
RESULTS Tuesday, March 9 - Cheshire Amateur Cup semi-final: Ashville 2 (Simon Donghue, Tommy Lamb) Poulton Victoria 3 (Mike Bates, John Paul Stanhope, Gary Reay). Wednesday, March 10 - West Cheshire Bowl semi final: Ashville Res 0 Capenhurst Villa 1 (Steve Pinnington, 85). Saturday, March 13 - Division One: Aintree Villa 1 (Carl Finlay) Mallaby (Ben England, Mark Galer), Castrol Social 1 (Neil Clarke) Cammell Laird (Jamie Maguire 3, Ian Cooke, John Morgan), Christleton 2 (Shaun Kilgannon, Rob Tabaner) West Kirby (Mike McGree), Helsby 1 (Richard Keene) Ashville 5 (Mike Hannaghan 3 Reg Standish, og), Maghull 1 (Mark Horrigan) Heswall 1 (Colin O'Halloran), Newton 2 (Lee Furlong, Joe Doran) General Chemicals 0, Poulton Victoria 1 (Dave Huyton) Ellesmere Port 1 (John Powell), Vauxhall Motors Res 1 (Khristian Hale) Manweb 0. Division Two: Ashville Res 1 (Craig Evans) Mond Rangers 0, Blacon Yth Club 2 (Jamie Barlow 2) Christleton Res 1 (Mark Waldron), Capenhurst Villa 1 (John Farrell) Merseyside Police 3 (Chris Killen 2, Lee Welsh), FC Pensby 3 (Tatler 2, Owen) Poulton Victoria Res 3 (Finnan, Thompson, Hassan), Heswall Res 0 Cammell Laird Res 1 (Brian McIlroy), New Brighton 5 (Neil Atkinson 3, Craig Dulson, Gordon Harrison) Upton AA 0.
Division Three: Chester Nomads 2 (Chris Cutler, Paul Young) New Brighton Res 1 (Danny Costell), Grange Athletic 3 (Phil Selby 2, Carl Burns) St Werburgh 0, Manweb Res 3 (Tommy Farrell 2, Graham Roderick 0) Mersey Royal 2 (Peter Courtney 2), MBNA 0 Ellesmere Port Res (Phil Coffin), Mond Rangers Res 0 West Kirby Res 3 (Ben Pollard, Chris whitley, Lee Talmon (pen).
