THE defending champions and current league leaders of the Chester and Wirral Football League Premier Division slumped to a shock first defeat of the season.

A previously unbeaten Sutton Athletic suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat to a Cestrian Alex side who recorded their first success of the season.

Goals from Ashley Reed and Matt Gilmour put the hosts 2-0 up, with the strikes coming as a reward for a bright and entertaining start from Cestrian Alex.

While Connor Doyle grabbed a goal back for Sutton, his side couldn’t find an equaliser as the Alex held on for a vital victory.

Elsewhere in the CWFL Premier Division, Tom Berry’s brace helped Upton JFC to a 2-1win against Shaftesbury Youth Club who had Steve Taff on target.

Higher Bebington Kelma, meanwhile, came out on top with a 5-3 scoreline in an end-to-end eight goal thriller with Groves Athletic.

Despite an own goal going in Groves’ favour to add to efforts from George Patchett and Jord Finlay, Kelma hit the net five times to earn a result which propels them up to seventh while Groves drop to eighth.

Unitor extended their lead at the top of the CWFL Championship to four points with a hard-fought 4-2 victory over fourth placed Chester Nomads 3rds.

Liam Casey bagged a brace, while Jason Bull and Marc McNoon also got themselves on the scoresheet to earn their side all three points.

Shaftesbury FC Reserves shared the points with Hoole Rovers after the two sides played out an entertaining 3-3 draw at Memorial Park Prenton.

Connor Sandham scored twice, and Bernie Holmes got the other for their Shaftesbury side who move up to third, while Shaun Gillian, Matty Maddox and Martin Rezlet-Kennedy were on target for Rovers.

Goals from Martin Riley and Chris Rogerson put Hartford FC Vets three points clear at the top of the CWFL Veterans Division Two with a 2-1 victory over Crossway who had Danny Brown on the scoresheet.

In the leagues only other game, Frodsham Park JFC Vets pipped Dee Rangers to all three points with a closely contested 4-3 success.

Gareth Gerrard hit a double to add to further strikes from Jason St Lawrence and Marc Baiton to secure the victory against a Rangers side who had Richard Dalton and Carl Fowlie (2) on target.