THE second round of the Chester Challenge Cup occupied the thoughts of most teams on Saturday.
Half of the day's games went to extra time and two were decided on penalties.
Blacon YC A matched visitors Chester Nomads 2nds for 120 minutes of football, drawing 4-4. Braces for Blacon's Martin Graves and Chester's Tom Cairns set the tone of the game. For the home side Darren Wynne and Nathan Armstrong finished the scoring while Mike Apeloneo and Andy Roberts replied before Nomads ran out 2-0 winners in the shoot-out.
Blacon YC Reserves dropped out of the tournament as Highfield Athletic were able to dispatch their hosts in normal time. Scott Chard and Paul Joiner hit the target for Highfield with Kelvin
Roderick pulling one back for Blacon.
City Bar and Christleton Reserves took it to the wire thanks in part to City's Phil Neal bagging two goals to make it 2-2.
In the resultant penalty shoot-out, City defeated their West Cheshire League opponents 5-3.
Hoole Rangers entertained Bank of Scotland and came from behind to win 2-1 with second-half goals from Warren Fowles and Darren Bradley.
Kelsall were one of only two teams to cruise into round three with a 3-0 win over Barrow Athletic. Steve Whitaker opened the scoring before John Davenport's double sealed victory.
Waggon and Horses also found their passage easy as they beat Boughton Athletic 4-0. Brad Mortimer got a hat-trick but all the plaudits were reserved for Stuart Riley who scored his first goal for eight years to complete the win.
Newton Celtic had a tougher time against Chester Nomads 6ths. An extra-time victory courtesy of two from Ian Riddler and one from Gaz Axon made it 3-2 to Celtic.
Tarporley Vics lost at home in extra time to Saltney Vets. Peter Donnelly and a Lee Woodworth penalty made it 3-2 after the game finished 1-1 at the end of normal time, Saltney's goal coming from Paul Roberts.
* In the Premier Division, Tarvin 2000 Athletic fell to second-placed Duddon United at home. Paul Broster was Tarvin's scorer but Duddon won through Eric Dadrowski and Gordon Piggin strikes.
In Division One, leaders Cestrian Alex lost out to Crossway. The away team dominated from the start and goals from Aaron Edwards (2), Pete Suddal and Carl Mackie gave them a 4-2 triumph. Adi Gough and Richard Deponeo were on the scoresheet for Alex.
Second-placed Ashton Lions also conceded ground to the chasing pack, losing at home 1-0 to AFC Bebington courtesy of a last-minute winner from Chris Sladen.
Chester Nomads 3rds ground out a 1-1 draw with Blacon YC Colts, Chris Parry netting for Chester.
* The Chester and District FA's youth team take on the Crewe FA on Sunday. The match is at the Cheshire County Sports Club in Upton and kicks off at 11am.
