THERE were some closely-fought ties in the Cheshire Amateur Cup first round on Saturday.

Ellesmere Port crashed out at the first round stage, losing 6-5 on penalties at Malpas. Goals by Francis Robinson and Chris Gear for the Port meant the score was 2-2 at the end of extra time.

Vauxhall Motors Reserves had better fortune from the spot.

They drew 2-2 at home to Manor Athletic, Mark Bainbridge and Tom Craig scoring their goals, before progressing 3-1 on penalties.

Capenhurst Villa’s fate was also sealed by a shootout. They went through (4-3) after drawing 3-3 at Sale Town, with Phil Strapp, Tony Ashton and Mark Ryan scoring their goals.

In the West Cheshire League, Willaston lost 2-1 at home to Maghull Reserves in Division two. Trevor Worsley netted for the hosts.

In Division Three, Capenhurst Villa Reserves ran out 5-1 winners over visitors Neston Nomads. Danny Higginson bagged a hat-trick.

A goal by Mark Lynch was not enough for Ellesmere Port Reserves as they lost 3-1 at home to South Liverpool Reserves.

Westminster and Woodlands Athletic are on the march in the Cheshire Sunday Cup.

Westminster ran out 6-1 winners over Stockport Dynamos thanks to goals by Carl Frost (2), Chris Gear (2), Danny Page and Byron Jenkins.

Woodlands racked up a 5-2 win over Brow AFC, thanks to strikes by Sean Weaver (2), Louis Bedwell (2) and Lee Howard. Shore Villa claimed a 4-0 success over Thorne Plumbing & Heating.

There was no separating Grace Arms and White Swan when they met in the Premier Division of the Ellesmere Port Sunday League.

The sides fought out a 2-2 draw, Steve Griffiths and Steve Armitage scoring for the Grace while Martin Cliff and S Fletcher replied.

The Cat lost 3-2 to A&J Aquatics, whose scorers were Dermott O’Donnell (2) and Tom Boulton.

Woodlands defeated RWJ FC 3-1.

In Division One, Travellers Rest beat Thorne Plumbing & Heating Reserves 6-4. Joe Cooper (3), Phil Sails, Phil Evans and Dan Lynch netted for Travs, with C Lindsay (3) and Cam Forster replying.

John Gibbs netted for SCFC 94 in a 1-1 draw with Grace Arms Reserves.

In the first round of the Wirral District FA Sunday Junior Cup, FC Saviours pulled off a fine 4-3 win at Rangers Breaks.

Cheshire Yeoman breezed into the second round after beating The Vinyard 3-0.