1874 NORTHWICH progressed to the FA Vase fourth round for the first time as a reward for beating North West Counties League rivals Ashton Athletic.
Ryan Mitchell’s header, glanced into the net from Adam Whitlock’s free-kick, established an interval advantage before substitute Jake Parker settled the outcome shortly after his introduction in the second-half.
A side managed by Paul Bowyer and Wayne Goodison is the only one from their league to reach the last 32.
FT: @1874Northwich 2-0 @AshtonAthletic
— 1874 Northwich (@1874Northwich) December 2, 2017
Round Four see you soon 👀 pic.twitter.com/FD7oU7OKrN
It was a frustrating afternoon for Witton Albion, who lost 3-2 at home to Grantham Town in the Northern Premier League.
Jordan Hempenstall netted either side of the interval for the Gingerbreads, who were second-best despite being more clinical in front of goal.
Captain Stefan Galinski headed their third goal before Rob Hopley’s late brace gave Carl Macauley’s men hope they might salvage a draw.
Callam Gardner was a match-winner for Winsford United as they stunned North West Counties League leaders Runcorn Town.
Ryan Steele’s reply had cancelled out Craig Cairns’ opener for the table-toppers in the first-half before the wide man settled the outcome with a fine strike after cutting inside from the right.
FT: Runcorn Town 1 - 2 Winsford United.
— Winsford United FC (@WinsfordUnited) December 2, 2017
Superb win at the league leaders. Get in! Big 3 points for the blues pic.twitter.com/lH5TfJNHix
It was a disappointing afternoon for Steve Wilkes, who could not get one over on former club Padiham.
A double for Storks midfielder Dominic Craig turned around a contest the visitors had trailed against Northwich Victoria at Barnton’s Townfield.
In-form Jay Hart had put the hosts in front, while Brian Matthews’ penalty was saved by former Vics goalkeeper Dane Smith with the score at 2-1.
Full time @NorthwichVicsFC 1-2 @Padiham_FC a great show if character in the 2nd half. 2 goals from the dominator @Dom_Craig takes the points
— Padiham Football Club (@Padiham_FC) December 2, 2017
Elsewhere Lostock Gralam secured a quarter-finals place in the Cheshire League’s JA Walton Challenge Cup following a penalty shoot-out at Ford Motors.
The teams had shared six goals before that.
There was a knockout success too for Witton’s reserves, who eliminated Crewe FC from the Crewe and District FA Cup.
Here’s a classified rundown of results from the respective competitions our teams play in:
Northern Premier League
Premier Division: Ashton United 2-1 Rushall; Buxton 1-1 Barwell; Halesowen 3-1 Whitby; Hednesford 2-1 Farsley Celtic; Lancaster 1-2 Matlock; Mickleover 1-2 Altrincham; Nantwich 1-3 Coalville; Shaw Lane 5-0 Warrington; Stafford 1-4 Marine; Sutton Coldfield 2-0 Stalybridge; Witton 2-3 Grantham; Workington 2-1 Stourbridge.
FA Vase
Third Round (3pm unless stated): 1874 Northwich 2-0 Ashton Ath (at Winsford United FC); Runcorn Linnets 2-3 Marske; Stockton 1-0 City of Liverpool.
To see the results in full, click here.
North West Counties League
Premier Division: AFC Liverpool 3-1 Abbey Hey; Barnoldswick 4-1 West Didsbury & Chorlton; Bootle 1-0 Squires Gate; Burscough 1-1 Charnock Richard; Irlam 0-2 Congleton; Maine Road 3-2 AFC Darwen; Northwich Victoria 1-2 Padiham (at Barnton FC); Runcorn Town 1-2 Winsford; Widnes 3-0 Hanley.
Cheshire League
League One: FC St Helens 5-3 Styal; Pilkington 8-2 Egerton; West Didsbury & Chorlton res 3-1 Garswood.
League Two: Cuddington 3-4 Unicorn Ath; Sandbach Utd res 3-2 St Helens Town res; Vulcan 5-1 Grappenhall; Winstanley 1-3 Maine Road res.
Reserves Division: Billinge 3-2 Linotype; Daten 2-4 Poynton; Denton 3-3 FC St Helens; Pilkington 1-1 Vulcan; Styal 3-1 Rylands.
JA Walton Challenge Cup
Second Round: Ford Motors 3-3 Lostock Gralam (Lostock win 4-3 on penalties).
Crewe and District FA Cup
First Round: Crewe FC 2-4 Witton res.
Crewe and District League
Premier Division: Mary Dendy 0-2 Barnton Wanderers; Over 3 Grange 2-0 Clock Tower; Sandbach Curshaws 3-2 Sandbach Town.
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