LAST WEEK'S disappointing Wirral FA Premier Cup first round exit failed to dampen Nova's spirits in their quest for the Wirral Sunday League's Premier Division title.
On Sunday it was new boys, Blue Anchor, who took the backlash, as efforts from John Harrison Jnr, Kevin Phillips and Kevin Murphy sealed a 3-1 victory for the League leaders, and maintained a hundred per cent record.
Anchor's man of the match, Joel Hamer, netted for the visitors.
Anthony Jones plundered three for Royal Oak in their first outing of the season, but his endeavours were put in the shade by visitors, Salisbury, who climbed to third place in the table, after replies from Darren McGuinness (3) and Mike Murtagh secured a memorable triumph. Gladstone Social opened their account with a 2-1 success at Cat.
Division One's match of the day brought together current leaders, Phoenix, and nearest rivals, Farmers Arms, who remained in second spot and watched the leaders romp six points clear, hat-trick hero Dave Prandle calling the tune in the 3-2 win.
Wirral Athletic's Adam Smith also bagged a treble and was joined on the score sheet by Gareth Anderson in Sunday's 4-1 eclipse of PSI but Ian Wallace's double for Wirral Health counted for nothing as Allport rallied. Tixalls celebrated an emphatic 5-1 rout of Old House and Wirral Hotel made it two wins on the trot after edging Halfway House 2-0.
Five clubs remain unbeaten in Division Two and it's Bebington Athletic who currently hold the whip hand, following their 3-1 defeat of 27 Club.
Second placed Victoria Seniors are scoring for fun, emphasised by an 8-0 drubbing of respectable opposition Cheshire Yeoman.
In close pursuit are Tranmere Supporters, who came close to promotion last time around and are now enjoying the winning habit, with maximum returns from their first three outings.
A dipping volley from the edge of the box from Dave Gray was the pick of the goals as Octel Club won 6-3 at PSV. Craig Cairns (2), Adam Park, Richard Hill and Dave McNeill also found the net.
RESULTS Premier Division: Cat 1 Gladstone Social 2; Nova 3 Blue Anchor 1; Royal Oak 2 Salisbury 4. Division One: Allport 3 Wirral Health 2; Phoenix 3 Farmers Arms 2; PSI 1 Wirral Athletic 4; Tixalls 5 Old House 1; Wirral Hotel 2 Halfway House 0.Division One: Bebington Athletic 3 27 Club 1; Mersey Rangers 2 Riverside Town 2; PSV 3 Octel Club 6; Seven Stars 0 Tranmere Rov Supp 6; Victoria Seniors 8 Cheshire Yeoman 0. FIXTURES Cheshire FA Sunday Amateur Cup 1st round: Lancelyn v Queens Towers.
Premier Division: Blue Anchor v Sportsmans; Gladstone Social v Towers; Pollards Inn v Cat; Salisbury v Nova. Division One: Farmers Arms v Wirral Hotel; Halfway House v Allport; Old House v Phoenix; Park Rangers v PSI; Wirral Athletic v Tixalls; Wirral Health v Ship. Division Two: Cheshire Yeoman v George; Kel Social v Bebington Athletic; Octel Club v Rockvilla; Riverside Town v Victoria Seniors; Tran-mere Rov Supp v PSV; 27 Club v Seven Stars. Open Date: Mersey Rangers, Royal Oak.
