North West Counties Football League Division One South

Ellesmere Rangers 2

Cammell Laird 1907 2

A HEARTY performance from Ellesmere Rangers saw them come from 2-0 down to claim a point at home against Cammell Laird 1907 on Saturday.

Goals from Karl Bailey and Tawanda Melusi either side of the break proved to be vital as Rangers rescued a draw and move further away from the foot of the table.

The result means Ellesmere have now 23 points from 25 games, and keeps them out of the relegation zone.

It was a bad start to the afternoon for the Meresiders who fell behind in the opening 10 minutes of the game.

Despite starting the game well, Ellesmere were the first of the teams to concede after winger Ben Greenop cut inside and found the net with a cross-cum-shot effort.

A solid response from the Ellesmere men saw them trying hard for a goal throughout the whole first half.

However, it was again the visitors who were next on the scoreboard.

Joseph Donelly doubled his team’s lead on the stroke of half-time and looked to have scored the goal to send his side in at the break two goals ahead.

This was not to be the case though after Melusi latched onto a long hopeful pass and threaded the ball through for Bailey who showed his composure in front of goal by firing into the net to reduce the visitors’ advantage to just one goal.

After half-time, chances fell for Ellesmere with George Durrell and Melusi coming close.

Melusi was responsible for the goal that brought the game back level again in the 70th minute when he displayed some individual brilliance.

The forward stood over a free-kick near the 18-yard-box and fired an accurate strike into the bottom corner of the goal to restore parity in the match.

With their confidence high, Ellesmere went in search of a third goal which would have won them the game, but they were unable to do so.

The final whistle blew and the result leaves Rangers third from bottom.

A weekend without a match awaits Ellesmere, before they will prepare to take on Shelley in the Macron Cup quarter-finals.

Cheshire Football League

League One

Malpas 5

Cheadle Heath Nomads Reserves 1

A LEE Parry hat-trick inspired Malpas to a much-needed and long-awaited home win in the Cheshire Football League One on Saturday.

In a season that has often promised much and delivered little, other than one or two cup runs, Malpas were able to take advantage of a youthful Nomads Reserves side to give out a hammering.

It was Parry who put the Red and Blacks ahead at The Oxhays in Wrexham Road and he completed his treble with a strike from the penalty spot and a rebound from Harry Cunningham’s effort.

He was joined on the scoresheet once more by Sam Gresty, while Adam Hailes returned to goalscoring for Malpas.

The win lifts them back into 10th spot and may give the club some payback for when they drew in the reverse fixture, recently, though some fans argued the Nomads side was more experienced than normal.

In the only other league action of the day, Windle Labour went three points clear after they beat Maine Road Reserves 4-2 at home.

On Saturday, Malpas will hope for consecutive wins as mid-table Ashton Athletic come to Wrexham Road, for a 2pm kick-off.

West Midlands Regional League

Premier Division

Littleton 3

Wem Town 0

IT WAS a frustrating week for Wem Town after their midweek clash was called off and then the weekend brought more defeat for the north Shropshire side.

Wem’s clash with Smethwick Rangers last Wednesday was called off, meaning Wem could not steal a march on their rivals.

And on Saturday, the Bowensfield men were comfortably beaten on the road as they shipped three without reply against a Littleton side looking for a place in the top six.

The home side scored through Benjamin Billingham, Jade Ferron and Ben Markhall leaving Wem in the relegation places and cut adrift of the rest of the pack.

Their nearest rivals are nearby Shawbury United, who picked a crucial 3-1 home win over Wolverhampton Sporting Community on Saturday, meaning they are now eight points clear of Wem, having played five games fewer.

Wem will need to pick up a string of wins to catch up with the sides above them if they are to avoid finishing in the bottom three.

On Saturday, Wem return to the their Butler Sports Centre base against Wolverhampton Casuals, who currently occupy third spot (3pm kick-off).

Shropshire Premier Division

Premier Cup

Wrockwardine Wood Juniors 3

Prees United 2

PREES United’s season is all-but-over as their Shropshire Premier Division Cup adventure came to a premature end with defeat on Saturday.

The Rec men faced a tough task after they were drawn against one of the league’s most in-form sides in Wrockwardine Woods Juniors, but they still pushed a side who are position above them in the Premier Division.

On Saturday, Prees will be given an instant opportunity to take revenge as they host Wrockwardine in the league with a 2pm kick-off.