Birkenhead Sunday Association Football League round-up, 16 August 2026

Birkenhead Sunday Association Football League round-up, 16 August 2026

August 19, 2026 - Bernie Holmes

The Birkenhead Sunday League has announced a major restructuring of its commercial partnerships ahead of the new campaign. Nuclear Competitions has been unveiled as the League’s new official sponsor, succeeding long-term backers Houlihan’s, who leave with the league’s gratitude for their years of dedicated support.

In tandem with this headline sponsorship, the league has partnered with Macron Sports Hub, which steps in as the official kit and teamwear supplier to champion grassroots adult football across Wirral.

On the pitch, the Premier Division campaign opened with a fine performance from Fender FC, who ran out 3-0 winners at Rock Ferry courtesy of a Thomas Randall brace and a Jacob McLaughlin strike. Cheshire Cheese also secured maximum points on opening day, grinding out a deserved 1-0 win against Wellington thanks to a solitary effort from Connor Edwards.

Beechwood started their campaign in perfect fashion, securing a 2-0 victory over bogey side Lancelyn Glenavon; a clean sheet combined with goals from Jack Carter and Sam Collingwood ensured they took all three points.

Meanwhile, reigning champions Dock launched their title defence in style by defeating Woodchurch Hotel 3-1. Greg Drummond, Joe Downey, and Ben Wood all found the net for the holders, rendering Dan Pickavance’s strike a mere consolation.

Elsewhere, Queens Park ran riot against newly promoted Oxton Celtic, winning 6-1. Joel Whalley spearheaded the onslaught with a clinical hat-trick, while Dillan Calverly, Alex Butterworth, and Lucas Hagan completed the scoring, leaving Will Gill to net Celtic’s lone reply.

Bidston showed impressive resilience after conceding to Rig Move in the opening minute, mounting a superb comeback to win 3-1 through a Kian Hamm double and a John Mearnes effort.

Championship action delivered plenty of drama as AFC Shaftes edged out Lukes FC 2-1, with goals from Joel Brown and Alfie Mullings outbalancing an unfortunate own goal. Corsair took local bragging rights and a 1-0 victory over rivals Seamus O’Donnells following a lone match-winner from John Skipsey.

Division debutants Heather Brow, aiming to replicate the success of former club namesakes, enjoyed a perfect start by defeating Hooton VH 2-0 through clinical finishes from Ben O’Neil and Wayne Gibbons.

Also returning to the league after a brief respite are Neston Nomads, who secured their own 2-0 victory against Higher Bebington Kelma on the back of a decisive Louise Westhead brace.

Meanwhile, Woodchurch Rovers and The Dell had to settle for a point apiece after a hard-fought 2-2 draw. Cal Whitby and Zac Woods struck for Rovers, while Effion Alfa and Parsa Dadgar hit back for the visitors.

A 24-goal frenzy lit up League One, where Lions edged past AFC Raeburn 2-1 as strikes from Paul Ryan and Conor Egan eclipsed Jack Hoijord’s effort.

Eastham Rangers hit peak early-season form by dismantling Glenavon Athletic 5-1; braces from Harry Huggins and Jordan Crowder, alongside an own goal, secured the points, while Brandon Scott provided Glenavon’s solitary response.

Parkgate St Germain enjoyed a dream start to their league campaign, scoring four without reply against AFC Nelson as Nick McKnight claimed a brace alongside goals from Ben Swift and Harry Baldwin Brown.

Upton Grange FC won an entertaining five-goal thriller against Oldershaw by the odd goal in three. A Ted Heeney double and a Dan Griffiths strike did the damage for Upton, while Caston Ball-Lalemi and Chris Howell responded for Oldershaw.

Upton Town complete the League One round-up after a dominant 5-1 away victory against Heswall FC. Tom Haynes and Will O’Leary both netted twice before Mathew Easterbrook rounded off the scoring with a spectacular rocket, leaving Archie Pagan to claim Heswall’s consolation.

League Two also provided plenty of goals. West Kirby United made light work of their trip to Lighthouse, returning with a 5-1 victory cantered around an excellent Adam Banks hat-trick, with Ben Banks and Matty Murphy completing the rout and Michael Ross netting for the hosts.

New Brighton Tower and MSC Eastham played out a competitive 2-2 draw; Sam Range and Hayden Clews were on target for New Brighton, while Keane Fletcher and Sam Fowlie rescued a point for Eastham.

The individual performance of the weekend belonged to Adam Pickering, who scored four goals in Ridgewood’s 9-0 defeat of AFC Rangers. Jack Heywood was also clinical with a hat-trick, while Michael Armour and Andy McEvoy added the gloss.

In contrast, Sutton Rangers and AFC Tima cancelled each other out in a 1-1 draw, with Reece Bridge’s opener erased by a Ussumane Jalo equaliser.

An Owen Kelsey brace, supported by goals from Tom Ashcroft and Joe Unsworth, guided Saughall to a 4-1 victory over New Brighton Rakers, who replied late through Fletcher Hagan.

Finally, West Kirby Wasps proved too strong for New Ferry Rangers, securing a 3-1 away win despite a goal from Ferry’s Joel Spain.

Image: Fender FC | Credit: Antonia Jolley