PRINCES VILLA missed the opportunity to move up to third in the Chester and Wirral Football League Championship as they fell to a defeat at home to Upton JFC Youth.

Upton’s hard-fought 2-1 win was just their third victory of the season and moved the team to within three points of sixth placed Hoole Rangers.

Princes Villa stay fifth but have at least two games in hand on the teams above them where one win will be enough to take them up to third ahead of Shaftesbury Youth Reserves.

Meanwhile, in the first round of the CWFL Veterans Trophy, Luca Trassati struck twice, and Stuart Mackie grabbed the other to help Ashton FC Vets to a 3-1 win over Frodsham Park JFC Vets.

Michael Jones also bagged a brace as his two goals added to further strikes from Kevin Rogerson and Sean O’Rourke to earn Tarvin Athletic Vets a 4-4 draw with Dee Rangers Vets.

Tarvin got the better of their hosts in the penalty shootout, scoring all five of their spot kicks for a 5-4 win to put themselves into the second round.

Upton JFC Vets also progressed into the next round courtesy of an entertaining 4-3 success over Higher Bebington Kelma Vets.

Elsewhere, Avenue Vets and Hartford Vets were both handed byes past their scheduled first round fixtures against Nags Head Bunbury Vets and FC Vaults Vets respectively.

Three cup fixtures will have to be rescheduled after falling victim to the bad weather over the weekend.

Those affected were Capenhurst Villa’s home tie against Blacon Youth Vets, Neston Nomads’ trip to Crossway Vets, and a derby clash between Ellesmere Port Vets and Ellesmere Port Town Vets.

The two CWFL Premier Division fixtures between Cestrian Alex and Ellesmere Port, and Helsby Reserves’ home clash with Higher Bebington Kelma were also called off.