Above: more pictures by Bob Shaw

Heswall FC began our quest for Wirral District FA Cup glory on Saturday just gone as both our First Team and Reserves opened their accounts in the Senior and Amateur Cups respectively.

As losing finalists in both competitions last season we have added determination to go one better and bring the trophies home to Gayton Park this time around.

The First Team welcomed local rivals West Kirby FC in the Senior Cup - with a semi-final place at stake as well as local bragging rights - and with a number of former West Kirby players involved, there was definitely the motivation to take the win.

The Yellows started well and had two goals disallowed by Referee Wayne Kinnear for offside, correct decisions it must be said, but they didn't blunt our positive start and we were not to be denied as 18 year old Shay Roberts opened the scoring with a crisp finish after some neat build up play.

Further goals came from Ben Dufton Kelly, in fine goal scoring form with his 7th goal of the season from his defensive role; Jordan Deer who had earlier struck the post with a penalty; and a further strike from Shay Roberts gave us a comfortable 4–0 lead at half time.

The performance levels were maintained after the break and a strike from Danny Dixon and another two from Shay Roberts put some extra gloss on the final result as we matched last season's league victory over the same opposition and triumphed with a comprehensive 7-0 scoreline.

Man of the Match for Heswall was Shay Roberts, finishing with four goals during a fine all round performance. In his first season at this level, Shay has had a great start and is developing into a fine player - we look forward to many more goals from him.

Our Reserve Team headed down the road to face neighbours Neston Nomads Reserves in the Amateur Cup, a repeat of last season's fixture in the same competition.

After a slow start, we found ourselves two goals down and looking down the barrel of a chastening defeat. A vastly improved second half performance brought goals from Callum Walsh and a brace apiece for Dan O'Halloran and skipper Jamie Steele. A fine 5–2 victory away from home put the Reserves in the hat for the semi-final.

New Reserve Team skipper Jamie Steele has stepped up from his previous role of Vice Captain. The former holder of the Hes Res armband, Nathan Johnston, has made the step up into the First Team set-up. A fine player and a great lad, it's a deserved promotion for him as his performances so far this season have been outstanding and he's bagged himself nine goals.

The opportunity is there for all our lads to make the step up into first team action. Manager Andy Cass is a keen advocate for promoting players and utilising the Reserve and Youth Teams to create a one club mentality.

We needn't look elsewhere when we have a fine group of players working hard to make the step into First Team football, and with a fine coaching team nurturing the Reserves it is great to see us reap the rewards of our approach for developing players and providing opportunity.

This week sees our First Team return to Cheshire Cup action with a short trip to Ashville, who have started the season well.

Heswall will be keen to progress to the next round in a competition in which both sides have fared well over the years.

Our Reserve Team welcomes Aintree Villa Reserves to Gayton Park. The last time we met, at the end of last season, the game ended goalless, so we're banking on an entertaining and ultimately successful game on Saturday.

Please come along and enjoy the game with us. The bar will be open and a warm welcome awaits, which should compensate for what looks like being a chilly afternoon.