WINSFORD United have reached the final of the Mid Cheshire Senior Challenge Cup at the expense of Witton Albion, writes Eithan Boulter-Ashcroft.

Holders Winsford defeated their guests 3-0 in Tuesday night’s semi-final at Barton Stadium.

Blues had an early opportunity with Nathan Cotterell stinging the gloves of Oliver Martin in the Witton goal.

After a bright start for the hosts, two Blues defenders collided allowing Kyle Riley to break away but he couldn’t pick out a teammate in the middle.

Following the early scare, Winsford thought they had taken a first-half lead but the goal was ruled out for handball.

Gabriel Mooney-Munoz’s pace caused problems for the Witton right-back but his cross flashed across the face of goal.

With the clock ticking past the half hour, Jesse Dowling and Sam Billington sent long-range efforts off target.

The best chance of the half fell to the visitors just moments later. Sam Billington’s deflected cross looped towards Ben Harrison but he couldn’t direct his header on target.

In the latter stages of the half Winsford had a big opportunity of their own. Ash Woods put Nathan Cotterell through but Martin was quick off his line to deny the striker.

On the stroke of half-time the ball fell kindly to Harry McGee inside the area but a last-ditch block from Blues captain Steve Jenyons sent the teams in at the break with the game goalless.

Cotterell wasn’t to be denied three minutes into the second half. Winsford caught Witton in possession on the edge of their own area with the ball falling to Cotterell who made no mistake finding the bottom corner.

Less than a minute later Winsford stunned the side from the league above with a second. Cotterell latched onto a through ball, cut back inside the defender before calmly slotting the ball past the goalkeeper for his fifth goal in the last two games.

Winsford almost grabbed a third with the cross falling at the feet of Mooney-Munoz in the area but Martin was on hand to deny the winger.

On a very disappointing night for John Macken’s side his team could only shoot from distance with Joe Duckworth and Elliot Rokka unable to test Aarran Lyons in the Blues goal.

The icing was put on the Winsford cake in stoppage time with an outrageous goal from Matty Coughlan. From inside his own half the Blues midfielder lobbed Martin to cap off a 3-0 victory.

Winsford have no fixture over the coming week, but Witton host Hanley Town on Saturday while fellow Northern Premier League West side 1874 Northwich head to Workington.

North West Counties League Premier Division side Northwich Victoria visit Padiham on Saturday and then host Squires Gate next Wednesday.

Barnton are home to Foley Meir in First Division South on Saturday.