SECOND ROUND Cheshire Amateur Cup ties took centre stage as Poulton Victoria gained revenge for last season's Pyke Cup final defeat at the hands of West Kirby by winning a scrappy tie 2-1.

Vics had the better of a first half that featured more stoppages than a car factory in the 1970s and they took the lead with the only decent piece of open play when Kevin Bimpson's deep right wing cross was met by Danny Edwards, whose first time finish arrowed into the top corner of the net.

The hosts came more into the contest after the break but created few chances and were only really able to force Vics into hurried clearances and the game seemed to be over when, with nine minutes remaining, newly introduced substitute Danny McGuinness found himself in acres of space and capitalised by netting at the near post to put the league champions 2-0 in front.

West Kirby weren't finished though and a neatly-glanced Steve Thompson header reduced the deficit and Lee Gibson should have earned his side extra time, but with the goal gaping he crashed his shot against the crossbar. Competition winners of the past two seasons, Cammell Laird Reserves, bowed out at the first time of asking this time round when going down to a shock 2-1 extra time defeat at the home of Second Division side Capenhurst Villa.

Mark Ryan and Mike Mackin did the damage for Villa with Liam Kennedy replying.

Last year's beaten finalists Christleton gained an easier passage than expected when running out 5-0 visitors at local Chester rivals Blacon YC. Doubles from Chris Herbert and the returning Paul Hallows were added to by the lively Tom Rowlands.

Chester Nomads were unable to repeat their first round giant killing act when losing 4-2 at Ellesmere Port, who had Dave Hall (2), Matty Forshaw and Darren Toal on target, while New Brighton edged to an odd goal in five success at Runcorn Town.

The Second Division hosts netted through Paul Hart and Gary Jaques but James Clare's double plus Neil Atkinson's goal sent the seasiders through.

The youngsters of Third Division side Mersey Royal found Heswall too strong for them on the day as Jamie Kenyon (2), Colin O'Hanlon and Carl Dunbar netted without reply.

West Cheshire clubs have only failed to lift the Cheshire Amateur trophy twice in the past 15 years and in-form Ashville recorded a notable 3-0 success at the home of Mid-Cheshire League title chasers Knutsford. Simon Donaghue, Gary McGuiness and Chris Forbes were the men on the mark for Ashville.

After a scoreless first period, a brace from Anthony Carroll and goals from Khyle Sampson and Louis Hughes helped Vauxhall Reserves to a 4-1 win at the expense of Barnton.

A single strike by Mike Moran was enough to send Upton AA home happy from their visit to Stockport Georgians but Castrol Social will have to try again after strikes by Ryan Nicholl and Mike Banks were cancelled out by visiting Witton Albion Reserves. Bronze Social proudly carry the Third Division flag into round three thanks to a 2-1 extra-time victory over Old Alts.

Jay Thompson and Gary Baker struck for Bronze but Grange Athletic lost interest in the competition after losing 4-0 at Styal while Willaston lost 3-0 at Woodley FC.

First Division action was restricted to the four Liverpool clubs with Aintree Villa (Mark Brady, Eric Woodward, John Coyle) defeating Merseyside Police (Victor Charles, Steve Siddel) 3-2 while Marine Reserves still seek their first win of the campaign. Craig Houghton registered in reply to Maghull's Tony Peters as Marine shared the spoils for the fifth time.

Poulton Vics Reserves strengthened their second position in Division Two with a 3-1 win over visiting Helsby. Tom Baker, Phil Greenhalgh and Ian Burrows were the Vics marksmen, while the on-song Danny Kaye hit the right note for Helsby.

Despite a goalless encounter with Maghull Reserves, West Kirby Reserves remain third but Mallaby's slump in form continued at Ashville Reserves, who had Danny Sherrett and Peter Simon on target, with Shaun Keevey responding.

Despite a Mark Irvine effort, FC Pensby remain rooted to the foot of the table after losing 3-1 at Christleton Reserves, who had Andy Cross, Andy White and Lee Butterworth on the scoresheet. Chris Daverough struck for Heswall Res who gained a useful point from a hard-fought draw at Halton (Lee Mitchell).

In Division Three, Beb Athletic continued their relentless pursuit of the title when goals from Graham Carvell (2), James Douglas and Matt Earp steered them to a 4-1 win over Focus (Graham Summers) but there was a shock in store for Manor Athletic when a Gary Bravender strike was not enough to prevent Capenhusrt Villa Res gaining maximum reward courtesy of Chris Rushton and Chris McNeil.

Ellemere Port Reserves (Steve James, Mike Hayes, Mark Roberts) leapfrogged into second following their 3-0 success at MANWEB Reserves and Glen Crowder and Russell Dunn were among the goals as Merseyside Police Reserves defeated their Runcorn Town counterparts 3-1.

Upton AA Reserves had Reece Nevitt as a two-goal man when drawing 2-2 with Blacon YC Reserves, who countered with goals from Tom Brennan and Will Collins. Spare a thought for Alan Cairns, who grabbed all four of Willaston Res's total but finished on the losing side as St Werburghs, who also had a four-goal man in Michael Scullion, responded with six of their own.

Youth Division action saw Ashville gain their first points of the season when they came from 3-1 down at West Kirby to go 5-3 in front with 15 minutes remaining and although the hosts pulled one back, Ashville finally sealed a 6-4 success. Cammell Laird and Hale (Shaun Callend, Fass Poza, Darren Faye, James Bradley) each scored four times away from home to stay joint top.

Lairds' 4-1 success came at the expense of Maghull while Hale emerged as 4-2 victors at Richmond Raith Rovers.