The Birkenhead Sunday League, sponsored by Nuclear Competitions in association with Macron Sports, will have five representatives in the quarter-finals of the Cheshire Sunday Cup following a successful weekend of action.

Rock Ferry Social led the way with a resounding 7-2 win over The Dell, driven by hat-tricks from Liam Driscoll and Jayden Jones, alongside a Leo Patten strike. Sonny Croft and Matt Wilde responded for the visitors.

Beechwood also progressed, securing a fine 2-0 away victory at Stockport Orion courtesy of a Max Langton brace. Queens Park marked Harvey Sample’s return from injury with a hat-trick in their 5-2 defeat of a spirited Runcorn Sports side, with James Fee and Connor Rowlands adding the extras.

Dock AFC overcame a stubborn Vineyard Athletic outfit. After a scoreless first half, they struck five times through a Kieran Hamm double and further goals from Josh Henry, Joe Downey, and Danny Stephens.

Wellington FC completed the quintet of advancing sides with a clinical 3-0 victory at Stockport 1883 FC, where man of the match Dillon Thomas scored twice and Daniel O’Halloran netted once. Cheshire Cheese missed out on joining them, falling 4-1 to a strong Adswood side despite a Jack Fradg goal.

The quarter-final ties on Sunday, 17 January 2027, guarantee at least two local league sides in the semi-finals, as Beechwood host Queens Park, and Rock Ferry Social welcome Dock AFC. Elsewhere, Wellington FC travel to Offerton, and Carnforth host Adswood.

In the Premier Division, league leaders Fender FC took full advantage of their rivals’ cup commitments to extend their lead at the summit to six points. A close-range header from Ben Kearney on the stroke of half-time and two second-half breakaway goals from Ben Morris (pictured) secured a hard-working 3-0 win against Woodchurch FC.

In the only other Premier Division match, Lancelyn Glenavon ran out 4-1 winners against Oxton Celtic through a Josh Ross brace and goals from Tom Fenley and Dan Hobden, with Ste Hird claiming a consolation.

Championship action saw Woodchurch Rovers claim top spot after defeating Shaftesbury AFC 5-0. Dan Kendall scored twice, supplemented by Ross Rule, Ryan Thompson, and Jamie Menahga.

Hooton VH and Higher Bebington Kelma shared the points in a 2-2 draw, with Zak Catesby and Patrick Tabiner scoring for Hooton, while Dylan Owen and Jack Bridger replied. Corsair won 4-2 at Lukes FC thanks to a John Skipsey double and individual strikes from Sam Saunders and Leon Clarke, answering goals from Alex Northover and Corey More.

In League One, the top three sides all secured maximum points. Leaders, Lions, defeated Heswall FC 3-1, led by a Matt Lydiate brace and a Mike Williams goal, while Jack Roberts scored for Heswall.

Second-placed Eastham Rangers kept pace by beating AFC Nelson 5-2. Harry Huggins scored a hat-trick and Kieran Hodson added a double, while Alex Fletcher and Harry Foley countered.

Lottie Dod climbed to third with a third consecutive win, beating Glenavon Athletic 4-2 as Cai Duncan hit a hat-trick and Alex Clarke added the fourth. Danny Rowland and Jayden Price replied.

AFC Raeburn edged out Parkgate St Germain 1-0 courtesy of a solitary Jack Presswell strike. Meanwhile, the Upton derby between Upton Grange and Upton Town ended 2-2, with Josh Harding and Tom Dewis goals for Grange cancelled out by a Mathew Easterbrook brace for Town.

The Division Two title race remains wide open with six teams in contention. Saughall went top by beating Whistle FC 2-1 through Josh Hulse and Tim Ashcroft.

New Ferry Rangers moved up to second after Louie Smith and Joel Spain earned a 2-0 win over New Brighton Tower. Former leaders Sutton Rangers slipped down to third after a high-scoring 4-4 draw with West Kirby Wasps which featured eight different goalscorers. Ben Travis, Matty Brady, Tom Marray, and Fin Lane scored for West Kirby, matched by Linden O’Brien, Reece Bridge, Owen Harris, and Adam Rhodes for Sutton.

MSC Eastham beat New Brighton 2-0 with goals from Jack Hughes and Harley Morris. Elsewhere, AFC Tima recorded a heavy 9-0 victory over AFC Rangers as Cayd Fenton scored a treble alongside braces from Mike Redgrift, Ussumane Jalo, and Grant Reay.

Ridgewood FC defeated Lighthouse 6-2, led by a Harry Nicholas double and further goals from Declan Pearce, Adam Pickering, Connor Bowman, and Dom Francom, rendering responses from Ethan Hitchell and Abdessamad Errouichi academic.