UPTON AA suffered a blip in their pursuit of the West Cheshire League Division One title on Saturday as Christleton beat them at Little Heath.

Despite a goal from Martin Gaulton, Upton fell to efforts from Paul Kenyon and Shaun O’Rourke, lifting the Swans to eighth.

Blacon YC returned to winning ways after a lean spell as they won 2-1 at home to Ellesmere Port. John Dowdridge and Matty McQuillan found the net for the Chester outfit.

In Division Two, Chester Nomads were no match for Poulton Victoria Reserves as the hosts fielded almost their entire senior line-up and won 6-1.

Christleton Reserves travelled to West Kirby Reserves and with just 11 players to call upon went down 2-0, while Helsby defeated Fairfield 6-2. Doubles from Kevin Ward and Nick Askey were supplemented by further efforts from Lee Fletcher and Gary Cottiga.

Upton AA Reserves edged St Werburgh’s 1-0 in Division Three thanks to a solitary strike from James D’Arcy. Their was no joy for Blacon YC Reserves, who had Scott Broadbent on target but slumped to a 4-1 defeat at Pensby.

In the Chester and District League, Kydds Athletic held Highfield Athletic to a 2-2 draw to dent the visitors’ Premier Division title hopes.

Highfield needed to win to keep their slim championship ambitions alive, but Kydds’ Gary Pollitt and Mike Neary cancelled out strikes by Ross Broadbent and Paul Joyner.

Leaders Castrol Social extended their lead over Highfield to nine points with a 2-0 victory at Newton Bears. Andy Crawford and Steve Finlay did the honours.

Frodsham United’s clash with Hoole Rangers was abandoned at half-time with Rangers 2-1 up due to abhorrent weather conditions.

Duddon United’s Kevin Rogerson and Rob Edge both scored at home against Waggon and Horses but the away side still won. The final score was 4-2 as Warren Roberts and Brad Mortimer each hit the target twice.

In Division One, City Bar won 12-2 at Barrow Athletic. A hat-trick from Tom Grimshaw, doubles for Gary Didsbury and Danny McLoughlin and single strikes courtesy of Mike Robinson, Danny Jones, Sean Smith, Matthew DeCosta and an own goal sealed Barrow’s fate. Goals from Andy Blackwell and Tom Wilkinson were little consolation for the hosts.

Cestrian Alex remain teetering on the brink of the relegation battle after their 3-0 home defeat to AFC Bebington, while Highfield Athletic Reserves just missed out in a seven-goal thriller at Parkgate.

They lost 4-3 with Craig Weaver (2) and Neil Fields on target. Parkgate won thanks to goals from Richard Jones (2), Carl Hare and Joe Harvey.

Chester Nomads 6ths put on a real show against Vicars Cross Dynamo Doves as they won 6-2 in Division Two. Ian McCallum led the way with a hat-trick, backed up by Tony Carr, Mike Kelly and Neil Harvey.

Rangers Breaks v Boughton Athletic was abandoned before half-time due to adverse weather, with Rangers leading 1-0.