MICHAEL Welch has challenged Middlewich Town’s players to maintain the standards they have set in the first seven days of a new Cheshire League season.

The Witches followed up a draw against Lostock Gralam last Wednesday with a four-goal thrashing of Cheadle Town’s reserves in League One at the weekend.

They are due to host Daten last night, Wednesday, kick-off 6.45pm.

“We can be a force this year if we can repeat what we’ve shown so far,” said co-manager.

“We were worthy winners [at Cheadle], and all 16 players contributed – we produced excellent football at times.”

A trip to Mersey Valley, who collected maximum points from their first two games, awaits on Saturday.

Cheadle Town res 0-4 Middlewich Town 4

MIDDLEWICH Town produced a dominant display to register a first victory of the campaign last weekend.

They had to wait to break through though, and Rory Gorton applied the finishing touch to a flowing team move shortly before the break.

A second goal arrived when Jamie Petrie fired with power past the hosts’ goalkeeper.

James Smith came off the bench to convert from Michael Whitehead’s cross before striker Sam Wakefield added gloss when he skipped around Cheadle’s custodian to make it 4-0 late on.

n Cheshire League, page 63

Welch added: “After Wednesday’s draw, we knew we’d win if we reached the same levels.”