RUDHEATH could not prevent Whaley Bridge from extending a winning sequence to three matches in the Cheshire League’s top flight on Saturday.

Steve Hughes, who has switched to Social from neighbours Barnton, netted a late consolation for the visitors after first-half goals from veteran Ray Dwotlika and Bill Sutton had established an interval advantage for the hosts at Horwich Park.

Rudheath, who host Greenalls Padgate St Oswalds this weekend in the JB Parker Challenge Cup, sit 13th in the table.

Elsewhere Middlewich Town played out a thrilling encounter with neighbours Lostock Gralam in the JA Walton Challenge Cup first round.

The Grey Lambs, victors in a league meeting last month, progressed via a penalty shoot-out after the rivals shared eight goals and each had a player sent off.

Will Reid, twice, Carl Harvey and James Dean – playing against his former club – were on target for Lostock at Park Stadium.

Dean Burgess, George Hopkins, Sam Wakefield and substitute Leon Robinson replied for Town, while Dean and Burgess were the men to be shown a red card.

Cuddington came overturned a two-goal deficit at home to Unicorn Athletic in League Two, only to lose 4-3.

Goals from Adam Groves and Chris Howarth established control for the visitors to Norley Road, but Adam Bettley, Gary Wakefield and 16-year-old Kieran Wakefield scored during a rally by Gareth Harwood’s side.

However strikes from Ian Taylor and former 1874 Northwich midfielder Lee Hendley settled the outcome.

Results

Hallmark Security Cheshire League

Saturday, September 17

Premier Division

Denton Town 1-2 Knutsford

Poynton 6-4 Crewe

Styal 0-3 Linotype

Whaley Bridge 2-1 Rudheath Social

Wythenshawe Town 4-2 Altrincham res

League One

Egerton 4-3 Grappenhall Sports

FC St Helens 1-1 AFC Macclesfield

Mersey Valley 2-2 Warrington Town res

League Two

Brodheath Central 4-2 Windle Labour

Cuddington 3-4 Unicorn Athletic

JA Walton Challenge Cup

Cheadle Town res 1-1 Ford Motors (Ford win 5-4 on penalties)

Lostock Gralam 4-4 Middlewich Town (Lostock win 5-4 on penalties)

Orford 3-1 Sandbach United res

Pilkington 0-4 Winstanley Warriors

Tarporley Victoria 3-4 West Didsbury & Chorlton res