MIDDLEWICH Town endured a day to forget after failing to convert two penalties during a damaging home defeat against Daten.

They struggled to recover from falling behind in calamitous circumstances when Michael Whitehead miscued a clearance that goalkeeper Charles Masters fumbled over the line.

The hosts’ custodian then saw a chipped shot loop over him for the visitors to Seddon Street to double their lead.

They moved further in front on the hour before the Witches were awarded a spot-kick when Jamie Petrie was fouled by Daten number one Andy Metcalfe.

However he made up for his mistake by stopping Chris Lunn’s shot.

And the same player missed again with two minutes left, this time after Joe Coombs had been bundled over in the box.

Lostock Gralam cruised through to the JA Walton Challenge Cup semi-finals following a 4-0 win against 10-man Sandbach United reserves.

Charlie Hatton’s goal established an interval lead before Jack Woolley added to their advantage.

They both scored again before full-time as the Grey Lambs signed off for 2018 in style.

Joey Henry’s hat-trick for St Helens Town reserves condemned Cuddington to a heavy defeat in League Two – a third in succession away from Norley Road.

Morgan Onuh netted too for the hosts in a 4-0 win.

Winnington Avenue 1994 closed a gap to the table’s top-six when they thrashed fellow newcomers Holmes Chapel.

Sam Didsbury and Ste Rowlands both scored twice in a success that included a goal from Joel Hind.

“We were in complete control from the start,” reflected manager Lewis Wood.

“The lads’ confidence is high at the moment and we’re excited to find out what 2019 brings.”

Sam Keeney’s strike for Middlewich gave them the edge at half-time in a Reserves Division encounter with their Daten counterparts before Adam Campbell’s reply earned a draw for the Warrington side.

Results

Saturday, December 29

Cheshire League

Premier Division: Billinge 2-2 Crewe; Congleton Vale 0-2 Altrincham res; Denton 2-6 Whaley Bridge; Egerton 4-4 Pilkington; FC St Helens 2-1 Eagle; Greenalls PSO 2-1 Malpas; Middlewich 0-3 Daten; Poynton 1-1 Knutsford.

League One: Broadheath Central 1-2 Styal; Buxton res 2-3 Windle Labour; Garswood 1-0 Vulcan; Golborne 0-2 Grappenhall; Halebank 2-3 Ford Motors.

League Two: Ashton Ath res 6-1 Cheadle Town res; Cheadle Heath res 0-3 Club AZ; Maine Road res 4-2 Ashton Town res; Holmes Chapel 0-5 Winnington Ave 1994; St Helens Town res 4-0 Cuddington.

Reserves Division: Broadheath Central 3-0 Golborne; Daten 1-1 Middlewich; Eagle 6-1 Billinge; Moore 2-2 Poynton; Vulcan 1-0 FC St Helens.

JA Walton Challenge Cup

Quarter-finals: Lostock Gralam 4-0 Sandbach Utd res.