SUTTON ATHLETIC survived a scare against Upton JFC to maintain their perfect record in the Chester and Wirral Football League Premier Division.

The prolific Lee Ludgate fired a first half brace to put his Sutton side in control of the game until Tom Berry pulled one back for a resilient Upton side.

But Sutton Athletic were able to hold on for their ninth successive win which puts them 11 points clear of Ellesmere Port FC in second, who themselves won 5-1 against Cestrian Alex.

Ben Smith scored a hat-trick for his side, while Liam Smith and Joel Whalley also got on the scoresheet as Ellesmere Port proved to be too strong for a Cestrian Alex side who had Lee Walsh on target.

Blacon Youth Club Reserves thrashed bottom team Helsby Reserves 9-0 to keep them in third place.

James Henry struck a treble while Lewis Coppack, Brandon Dickinson and Matty Mackin each added braces to complete the rout.

In the league’s other game Christleton and Groves Athletic couldn’t be separated as the two sides drew 1-1 after goals from Aiden Field and Connor Howley respectively.

The draw leaves Christleton fourth with a game in hand on the teams above, while Groves are a further two points behind in fifth.

In the CWFL Championship, the league leaders Unitor AFC were ruthless once again as they powered past Rossmore Rangers.

Derek Taylor scored three in a man of the match display, while Liam Casey two more. Jamie Mearns, Leon Clarke and Jacob Smith also got themselves onto the scoresheet, while Charlie Jones hit a consolation for Rossmore in their 8-1 defeat.

AFC Park North kept themselves two points behind Unitor thanks to a 4-2 victory over Crossway. Adam Bagley bagged a brace to add to strikes from Lee Doyle and Sam Price.

Chester Nomads III piled more pressure on the once top of the table FC Duddon United as they enjoyed a 4-2 win to put them up to fourth and just a point behind the former leaders.

Tim Ashbrook grabbed one and Cam Parker hit a hat-trick to help their side past Duddon who had Tom Killilea and Joe Clarke on target.

Graeme Davidson also scored three as his Princes Villa side edged to a 4-3 success over Hoole Rovers. Joe Douthwaite was also on target for Villa, while Edwin Reyes-Royos, Martin Rezlet-Kennedy and Matty Maddox were the Hoole marksmen.

Josh Putnam scored the only goal of the game as Orange Athletic picked up their second win of the season as they beat Upton JFC Youth 1-0.

Ellesmere Port Town Vets kept up their perfect start to the season in the CWFL Vets Division Two as they posted their third successive win.

Danny Norris hit three to add to goals from Mark Lowe and David Moorhouse for Ellesmere’s 5-2 success over Ashton Vets.

Danny Brown, Bal Darnoi and Steve Gore were the scorers for Crossway in their 3-3 draw with Frodsham Park Vets, while Hartford Vets beat Nags Head Bunbury Vets 4-2 and Dee Rangers Vets beat FC Vaults Vets 5-4.