IN SATURDAY'S derby, Division One's bottom club Ellesmere Port battled hard for a share of the spoils against neighbours Castrol Social to earn a 3-3 draw.

John Southern (2) and Carl Smythe were on target for Port while Tony Aston struck two for the Oilmen and was joined on the scoresheet by Chris Tolley.

Vauxhall Reserves enjoyed a successful four days, denying Christleton the chance to take over at the top of the Division One table in midweek before overcoming Second Division Chester Nomads on Saturday, to reach the last eight of the Cheshire FA Amateur Cup.

With Mallaby accounting for Styal in their replay and Christleton defeating holders Barnton, all eight quarter-final-ists are from the West Cheshire League.

On Wednesday evening, the Motormen recorded a superb 2-1 win over Christleton, courtesy of a smart double from Anthony Wright.

In Saturday's Cheshire Cup third-round replay, Gareth Drury and Tommy Lyness applied the finishing touches in the 2-1 success over Chester Nomads.

Division Two promotion candidates Capenhurst Villa made it three wins in eight days including an important West Cheshire Bowl second-round victory over FC Pensby.

Chris Sharp and Mark Ryan plundered two goals each in Wednesday's fine 4-1 eclipse of Ashville Reserves and Sharp was on hand again with Jordan Brierley also on target in Saturday's 2-1 Bowl victory at Pensby which assured the hold-ers a place in the semi-finals.

With just six points separating the top ten sides in Division Three, local promotion hopefuls Grange Athletic and Willaston are very much in contention in the title chase.

Third-placed Grange are only a point behind the two clubs above them and have a game in hand.

On Saturday, the Stanney Grange outfit returned from MBNA with all three points after Mark Ryder (2), Paul Cockram, Robbie Shepperd and Simon Thelwell found the net in a comfortable 5-2 triumph.

Willaston are five points adrift of the leaders but they too have a game in hand and at the weekend were indebted to goals from Lee Cairns and James Clare to clinch a crucial 2-0 win at West Kirby Reserves.

On the minus side, Mark Roberts and Lee Watts were on the mark for Ellesmere Port Reserves who were undone by a hat-trick from Blacon Reserves' Richie Diponio.

Meanwhile, Capenhurst Villa Reserves played out a 0-0 stalemate with Bronze Social. Saturday's fixtures (1.30pm cup games, 2pm league games) - Wirral Senior Cup first round: Castrol Social v West Kirby; Ellesmere Port v Newton; Vauxhall Res v New Brighton.

Division Two: Capenhurst Villa v Manor Athletic.

Division Three: Blacon YC Res v Capenhurst Villa Res; Bronze Social v Grange Athletic; Manor Athletic Res v Ellesmere Port Res; Willaston v Mond Rangers Res.