North West Counties Football League Division One South

Ellesmere Rangers 2

Alsager Town 0

RANGERS picked up their fourth league win of the season as they fight to keep their place in the league.

The win might not be enough to stave off relegation with six games remaining and nine points required.

Away side Alsager Town struggled to match Rangers who could have given themselves a bigger goal-advantage after rattling the woodwork twice and having two goals ruled out for offside and a foul on the keeper.

After Will Wells missed an early opportunity for the home side, firing tamely at the keeper when through on goal, Rangers needed an excellent save from Richard Cowderoy to preserve equality, charging out of his goal to block an effort from Declan Arber who was the recipient of a lucky ricochet, which fell to him eight yards out.

The hosts were denied their first goal after half an hour when Adam Davies found the net but was penalised for what looked like a foul on the visiting keeper.

Not long after the break, Rangers got the lead they deserved when a Jack Briscoe free-kick was sent into the net by a powerful Charlie Fletcher header.

They doubled their lead shortly afterwards when a flurry of chances fell for Rangers and James Gregory-Cork eventually put the ball across the line.

Rangers were well on top and struck the woodwork again through James Durman whose header came bouncing back off the bar.

And just before the end Rangers preserved a rare clean sheet when Cowderoy pulled off a superb save to deny Tyler Saage whose 30-yard curler looked to be heading for the top corner.

Davies just had time to miss a goal that would have capped a good personal display, scuffing an effort past the post before the referee blew for time.

Last night (Tuesday) Rangers were due to face Wythenshawe Town at Beech Grove with a 7.45pm kick off.

On Saturday, Rangers are at home again when they face Sandbach United.

After the Tuesday night fixture against Wythenshawe Town, Rangers will have five games remaining as they look to avoid relegation.

West Midlands Regional League

Premier Division

Wem Town 2

Bewdley Town 1

WEM Town have given their survival hopes a boost when they beat Bewdley Town at home on Saturday in the West Midlands Regional League Premier Division.

The Bowensfield men remain second from bottom despite the win but moved to within two points of Shifnal Town in third from bottom, and flour points behind Shawbury United who sit just outside the relegation spots.

However, Wem have one game over Shifnal and three over Shawbury, with just six games to go.

Manager Josh Gough posted on Facebook: "A great wholehearted performance today beating Bewdley Town FC. We need to use this as stepping stone – six to go."

Wem face a tough test on Saturday but could also have a say in the title race if they beat Tividale (3pm) on Saturday before a midweek trip to Black Country Rangers.

Meanwhile, Haughmond are now a point behind Tividale and are level on games played in what will be an exciting finish to the season.

Haughmond host Pegasus Juniors.

Meanwhile, Wem's under-10s (pictured right) made full use of the club's bus for their trip to Shrewsbury Sports Village on Sunday.

Shropshire Premier League

Premier Division

Prees United 3

Brown Clee 1

PREES United have secured their excellent top-four finish in the Shropshire Premier Division after they beat bottom club Brown Clee at home on Saturday.

The Rec Men were just one of two games to be played as the season stumbles to an end and while their title hopes ended early on, a fourth-paced finish represents a good season.

They still have one more game to go, heading to face Brown Clee in a return fixture this weekend, where they are expected to win (3pm).

Meanwhile, Shrewsbury Juniors sign3ed their season and lifted the league title when they put four past Albrighton with no reply to finish on 47 points, nine ahead of their nearest rivals Stoke Heath.

The Juniors lost only once all season, dropping seven points along the way with a goal difference of 60 and were worthy winners of the title.

Stoke Heath finished runners-up with 38 points, helped by the walkover they received from St martins Village on Saturday, as their future in the division was already confirmed.

Prees have an opportunity finish third if they win at Brown Clee as they are just one point behind Madeley Sports who finished the season on 33 points from their 18 games.

There is still a cup to be decided as St Martins Village face Shrewsbury Juniors and Oakengates Rangers host Madeley Sports in the other semi with the final yet-to-be decided.

Gobowen Celtic, Oakengates and Albrighton, the Villagers and Wrockwardine Wood make up the rest of the division.

Cheshire Premier League

MALPAS face Greenalls Padgate St Oswalds at Wrexham Road for their first of two vital clashes against the Warrington side on Saturday.

The Red and Blacks, who sit second-from-bottom in the Cheshire Premier League, will play their penultimate league clash in a 3pm kick-off against Greenalls, who are in 11th place.

A win for Malpas would move them ahead of bottom side Denton Town.

Then, on April 13, Greenalls Padgate St Oswalds again make the trip to south Cheshire in the CFL Presidents Cup, hoping for a boosting win for a successful end to the season by booking a quart0-final spot.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, Pilkington, wo are currently second, begin their first of two huge clashes when they host Egerton.

The St Helens club know two wins with an aggregate of three goals or more will secure them the title over long-time leaders Altrincham, whose season has come to an end.

They then host Congleton on April 20, having sat out for two weeks.