MIDDLEWICH Town earned the reward of a home tie in the Cheshire FA Amateur Cup’s second round after knocking out four-time former winners on Saturday.

A 2-1 win at West Kirby, conquerors of Rudheath Social in the final two years ago, has clinched a date with Poulton Royal next month.

And the Witches can look forward to that tie with confidence after deservedly toppling a higher-ranked rival last weekend.

Skipper Sam O’Sullivan put the visitors in front during a first half that they controlled.

Their hosts came back into the game in the second period, although without troubling goalkeeper Charles Masters, before substitute Mitch Weedall made it 2-0 with six minutes left.

He had come off the bench to score seven days earlier too, putting the gloss on a 6-1 win at home to Golborne in a Cheshire League encounter.

Christian Lewis replied for West Kirby with time running out, but Middlewich protected their lead to reach the last 32.

“We dominated the first half and played some really good stuff at times,” reflected co-manager John O’Sullivan.

“We didn’t keep possession as well as we would have liked afterwards, but we defended well and managed the game.”

Poulton ran out 3-1 victors at home to West Cheshire League rivals Mersey Royal.

They will visit Seddon Street on Saturday, October 14.