Chester & Wirral Football League - Weekend Round Up

It was a massive week in the Chester & Wirral Football League as the cup final line-ups were finally settled and title races reached fever pitch.

The Tom Geraghty Cup final is set after West Kirby Vets secured their spot last Monday with a clinical 3-1 win over Wirral Masters Vets. Goals from David Cowie, Robin Lee, and Jon Oliver did the damage, while Mike Richardson provided the lone reply for the Masters. They will face Davenham Vets, who managed to nullify Wednesday to nullify the free-scoring Cheshire Vikings Vets. After a 0-0 stalemate, the Division 4 side triumphed 4-2 on penalties. The final is scheduled for Christleton’s Little Heath ground on Thursday 30th April, kicking off at 18:30.

In the CWFL Life Members Cup, Mersey Royal Vets booked their final berth against Handbridge FC following a ruthless 4-0 demolition of Higher Bebington Kelma Vets. Chrissy Bowe opened the floodgates early on before Shaun Parrington doubled the advantage. A 25-yard screamer from Anthony Cotgrave effectively ended the contest after the break, with Chrissy McGinn adding the gloss.

League matters saw Newton Athletic move within touching distance of the CWFL Queensferry Sports Premier Division title after an 8-0 annihilation of Chester Nomads 3rds. Liam Bradley and Tom Royle both netted braces, supported by strikes from Ben Woodman, Danny Eaton, Mike McIntyre, and Jack Zahringer.

In Tarvin Precision Vets Division 3, the perfect record of leaders Blacon Vets was finally shattered. Second-placed Vineyard Vets edged a 2-1 thriller through Carl Orok and Tommy Carroll, despite Kevin Garland finding the net for Blacon.

Friday’s Doug Johnson Trophy semi-final delivered further drama as Hartford Vets upset Birkenhead Vets. Goals from Lee Gibson and Bradley Gallagher for Birkenhead were cancelled out by Mike Jones and Pete Wilson, leading to a shootout. Hartford held their nerve to win 4-2 on penalties, setting up a final against Sefton Vets at Poulton Vics on Saturday 2nd May (14:00 KO).

Elsewhere, FC Farndon stand on the brink of glory after a 7-1 thumping of Clarence. Callum Parry bagged a hat-trick and Lee Parry a double, with Adam Morris also on target. Farndon now require a final-day win against Great Sutton Reserves to deny Higher Bebington Kelma the title. Finally, in the Tarvin Precision Vets Division Two, Neston Nomads Vets took maximum points against Chester Nomads Vets in a 3-1-win, courtesy of a Liam Jeacock double and a Sam Bunbury strike.

Saturday’s action was restricted to seven league fixtures across four divisions, beginning in the Premier Division. Handbridge ran riot in an 8-3 demolition of Upton JFC Reserves, spearheaded by a ruthless Ryan Bradley who notched four times. Jack Goodrich was also in clinical form, helping himself to a hat-trick, while Rob Owen rounded off the scoring.

Elsewhere, Blacon Youth Reserves had Ellis Moore to thank as his brace secured a 2-1 win on the road at Whitegate FC, who managed a solitary reply through Will Reid.

Division 1 action saw a sensational goal-fest, Winsford Vets and Sefton Vets shared the spoils in a 6-6 draw. For Winsford, Liam Goulding was the star man with four goals alongside a Ryan Ashall double. Sefton stayed in the hunt thanks to a Dave Parkinson hat-trick, a Jamie Hay strike, and a fortuitous own goal.

Division 4 action saw West Kirby Vets maintain their momentum following last week’s semi-final success, handing Dee Rangers Vets a 7-1 thrashing. Ian Linwood and Neil Pickering both bagged braces, with David Cowie, Nigel Powley, and Jon Oliver also finding the net. Rich Catton grabbed a lone consolation for Dee.

Meanwhile, an Adam Roper strike wasn't enough to prevent Hoole Rangers Vets from slipping to a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Davenham Vets.

Turning to the action in Division Five, Saughall Vets climbed off the foot of the table with a 5-2 win over FC Vault’s Vets, powered by a Dave Roberts hat-trick and goals from Chris Jones and Ian Carroll.

Finally, Great Sutton Vets secured maximum points with a solid 4-2 victory against Frodsham Vets Reserves. Gaz Handley and Vic Charles both netted doubles to cancel out replies from Frodsham duo Jason Jones and Chris Carey.

This Thursday will see the start of five finals in the CWFL below is a list of upcoming games.

Thursday 30^th April: West Kirby Vets v Davenham Vets, Little Heath Christleton, 1830hrs Kick off.

Saturday 2^nd May: Sefton Vets v Hartford Vets, Poulton Vics, 1400hrs kick off.

Monday 4^th May: Handbridge FC v Mersey Royal Vets, Little Heath, Christleton, 1100hrs kick off.

Saturday 9^th May: Chester Nomads 4^th V FC Farndon, Chester FC 1100hrs kick off.

Saturday 9^th May: Newton Athletic v Upton JFC Reserves, Chester FC 1500hrs kick off.

Pictured - Birkenhead Vets (Light Blue) v Hartford Vets (Red).

Picture Credit - Bob Shaw