MIDDLEWICH Town marched to the Mid-Cheshire District FA Saturday Challenge Cup semi-finals after putting five goals past Over 3 Grange.

The Witches were kept at arm’s length by their Winsford-based opponents for 40 minutes before Michael Whitehead skipped around the goalkeeper to open the scoring.

Harry Short stroked in a second shortly after the interval.

Town dominated for the remainder and increased their tally when substitute Mitch Riley finished coolly before teenager Dan Lomas marked his return from an injury lay-off by netting their fourth.

Another replacement, Marcin Manko, then chipped a fifth from the last kick of the contest.

Cuddington’s clinical finishing separated them from Winsford Saxons at Moss Farm.

Joe Lanceley’s hat-trick was a highlight for the Cheshire League Two side, while Jack Glimond was on target too in a 4-1 win.

Gaz Harwood’s men played for more than half-an-hour with 10 men following goalkeeper Tom Evans’ dismissal for dissent but protected their lead.

Alex Chu netted a consolation goal for the visitors.

Middlewich reserves needed two late goals to end Barnton Wanderers’ resistance in the other tie.

Danny Martin replied to an opener for the hosts from the penalty spot to restore parity before half-time.

However the Witches had to wait for Elliot Goryl and substitute Tom Brain to find the net inside the final five minutes before celebrating their safe passage.

Winnington Avenue 1994 put behind them the disappointment of a knockout defeat last weekend when they triumphed at Sandbach United reserves in Cheshire League Two.

Sam Didsbury’s first-half double set them on course to a 4-0 win that featured goals from Ste Warburton and substitute Craig Smith after the interval.

The rise to third in the table as a reward.

“I felt it was a blip last week and we showed that by bouncing back,” said manager Lewis Wood.

“We couldn’t afford to be down.”

Performance of the week

Winnington Avenue 1994

A heavy defeat against landlords Lostock Gralam in the district cup was painful and they showed resilience to recover quickly.

They are contenders now for promotion in their debut season as a Cheshire League club.

It was a good day for…

Joe Lanceley (Cuddington)

Has announced his return after a suspension by scoring a hat-trick in two of Cuddy’s past three games, on both occasions sending them through in a knockout competition.

He now has 15 goals this season.

In numbers

Middlewich savoured a winning feeling for the first time in 91 days, since beating Poynton 3-2 on November 11

What they said

“The next fortnight is huge for us.

“Everybody says we’ve nothing to lose and the camp is a happy one.”

Lewis Wood

Manager, Winnington Ave 1994