Press Report 25-02-2017

It was a quiet afternoon in Cheshire as the stormy conditions during the week put a halt to most games before they could even get going. The rain was too much for most pitches to handle, which lead to a number of postponements.

All games in the Cheshire League Premier Division were postponed, meaning that the league table remains unchanged from our last Press Report. The big games between Whaley Bridge and Wythenshawe, as well as Linotype Cheadle and Knutsford, will have to wait until later in the season.

In Division One, it was a glorious afternoon for Grappenhall Sports as they beat an in-form Mersey Valley side in Grappenhall Village. Sports won 4-1 at home to take away all three points and, for the first time this season, they overtake Cheadle Town Reserves.

Grappenhall move up to fifteenth following the result, which came thanks to braces from Paul Hulmes and James McCarthy. Their win means we have a new side at the bottom of the table, JA Walton Challenge Cup finalists Cheadle Town Reserves. This was the only game to take place in Division One.

In Reserves Division Two, Malpas took on AFC Macclesfield in a battle between the bottom side and the title chasing side in third place. Macclesfield travelled 56 miles from their home in Woodley to Wrexham Road in Malpas and they were unable to take three points back. They drew 2-2 with the home side in a fairly even affair.

The day’s only President’s Cup action, Moore United were beaten 2-1 away at Pilkington (which is currently down as a home fixture for Moore on Full-Time FA due to the host ground being reversed to the 3G surface at Ruskin Drive, St Helens). Pilks took the lead just after the half-time interval. Moore levelled on the 70 minute mark through a Ryan Barnes header. But it was short-lived however as Pilkington retook the lead five minutes later to make it 2-1.

In the Warrington Guardian Cup, three Cheshire League sides were in action. Division One side, Daten, hosted Vulcan FC at Culceth Sports Club. A trio of goals put the Atoms into the semi-final as they won 3-1. Goals from Jack Challinor, Michael Leigh and Christian Lawlor gave Daten the victory at home.

Two Cheshire League Premier Division sides played each other in another WG Cup quarter final as Rylands hosted Eagle Sports in a thrilling game. The visitors struck first, as Waldron put it past Rylands ‘keeper, Conor Yarwood.

The Eagle goalscorer was then sent off midway through the second period. This prompted a Rylands response as they picked up a penalty five minutes later, which was then missed by Jordan Rigby (saved by Eagle ‘keeper, Latham). The home side switched to a more attacking approach followed swiftly by a second Eagle red card, this time for Latham in goal.

They continued to pile on the pressure, hitting the post numerous times but all looked to be going against them. Six minutes of stoppage time were indicated and Rylands equalised in the dying seconds of the game, a Jim Daniels goal.

The game went to extra time and it was the home side who picked up where they left off, with two goals before the half-time break to make it 3-1. Rylands and the aforementioned Daten move into the next round of the competition.

Written by James Gill