WITTON Albion returned to winning ways when they humbled Hednesford Town, putting behind them successive defeats in the past week.

They led 2-0 by the break thanks to goals from Rob Hopley and Steve Tames, who converted a penalty, before Hopley doubled his personal tally with seven minutes left.

Carl Macauley’s men stay sixth in the Northern Premier League’s top-flight, although a gap to the promotion play-offs places is a single point ahead of a meeting with title-chasing Warrington Town on Easter Monday, kick-off 3pm.

Scott McGowan’s strike for 1874 Northwich earned for them a deserved share of the spoils following a draw with Hanley Town in the North West Counties League’s Premier Division.

They have now failed to win any of four games since bowing out of the FA Vase last weekend, but a battling performance in Stoke on Trent is reason for optimism.

Their next opponents are landlords Winsford United, who shared six goals with visitors Ashton Athletic at St Luke’s Barton Stadium.

Callam Gardner’s spot-kick with three minutes left rescued a point for Blues, who had rallied to draw level at 2-2 after goals from Paul Watson and Josh Nicholson had left them playing catch-up.

Will Foster headed in from a corner before James Rothwell equalised, only for Adam Howard to put the visitors in front again.

Barnton, already relegated, lost 4-0 at home to Abbey Hey.

In the Cheshire League’s third division, Adam Bettley was on target for Cuddington in a 3-1 reverse at promotion-chasing Broadheath Central.

Meanwhile Mark Adamczyk netted for Middlewich’s reserves in a stalemate with their Poynton counterparts.

Paul Richardson scored twice for Winnington Avenue as they ended a wait to win a first game of the season in the Crewe and District League’s top-flight.

Leon Hewitt and Scott Murray netted too in a 4-1 win against second-placed Sandbach Curshaws.

That was a gift to leaders Barnton Wanderers, who boosted their hopes of claiming the title when they edged Winsford Saxons, the defending champions, by the odd goal.

Results

Saturday, March 31

Northern Premier League

Premier Division: Ashton Utd 1-1 Mickleover; Halesowen 1-0 Stourbridge; Lancaster 2-1 Sutton Coldfield; Marine 2-3 Buxton; Nantwich 1-1 Farsley Celtic; Rushall 2-0 Altrincham; Stafford 1-2 Grantham; Witton 3-0 Hednesford.

North West Counties League

Premier Division: Barnoldswick 6-1 Widnes; Barnton 0-4 Abbey Hey; Charnock Richard 1-2 West Didsbury & Chorlton; Congleton 4-2 Burscough; Hanley 1-1 1874 Northwich; Maine Road 1-1 Squires Gate; Padiham 5-4 AFC Liverpool; Winsford 3-3 Ashton Ath.

Cheshire League

League One: Daten 1-1 Mersey Valley; FC St Helens 3-2 AFC Macclesfield; West Didsbury & Chorlton res 3-1 Cheadle res.

League Two: Broadheath Central 3-1 Cuddington; Ford Motors 3-0 Winstanley; Orford 4-1 Sandbach Utd.

Reserves Division: Denton 4-2 Greenalls PSO; Garswood 1-1 Rylands; Golborne 3-3 Daten; Linotype 2-2 Pilkington; Orford 0-7 Billinge; Poynton 1-1 Middlewich. Double-headers: Styal 1-3 FC St Helens, FC St Helens 3-2 Styal; Vulcan 0-2 Knutsford A; Knutsford A 1-0 Vulcan.

Crewe and District League

Premier Division: Barnton Wanderers 1-0 Winsford Saxons; Clock Tower 2-0 Winnington Ave 1994; Mary Dendy 2-1 Sandbach Town; Winnington Ave 4-1 Sandbach Curshaws.