WINSFORD United eased aside 1874 Northwich to reach the Macron Cup last eight on Tuesday.

Blues took control of the contest from the moment Michael Koral’s speculative strike from distance squirmed from goalkeeper Callum Spencer’s grasp on 11 minutes.

Jason Fowles was unlucky not to double the hosts’ advantage when his attempt rattled the crossbar shortly afterwards.

1874 management duo Paul Bowyer and Wayne Goodison selected a side with one eye on an FA Vase semi-final encounter with Thatcham Town on Saturday, and made nine changes to a side that started the previous game.

Those they had picked steadied themselves and Kyle Riley, captain at Winsford last season, was thwarted by custodian Matthew Green stretching fully to divert a header with his fingertips.

Winsford started the second-half at the same tempo they had the first, and Jamie McLellan’s header from a corner flashed narrowly wide.

Scott Taylor was next to go close, his shot hitting the woodwork.

He was not to be denied, and applied an emphatic finish to Callam Gardner’s cross to double Blues’ lead on 50 minutes.

Will Foster ought to have done better with a header, while at the other end Ben Woods blazed over when well-placed.

The contest was over on 73 minutes when Gardner punished a defensive error, side-stepping an opponent before waltzing past Spencer to score.

Riley at least registered a goal against his old team when he dispatched a penalty three minutes later.

Winsford | Green (GK), Fowles (Clarke 83), Skolorzynski, Hopper, Foster, McLellan, Scott Taylor, Michael Taylor, Koral (Hatton 77), Bircumshaw, Gardner Subs not used Kerr, Osborne (GK) Goals Koral 11, Scott Taylor 50, Gardner 73

1874 | Spencer (GK), Connor, Woods, Thomas, Meadowcroft, Lever, Whitlock (Russell 74), Fallon, Riley, Waite-Jackson (McGowan 66), Payne (Winthrop 80) Subs not used Jones, Hind Goal Riley 76 (penalty)

Referee Kristian Silcock

Attendance 218

Match report by Bob Astles