LOSTOCK Gralam held their nerve to secure a spot at the next stage of the JA Walton Challenge Cup following a penalty shoot-out on Saturday.

Player co-manager Dom Johnson’s equaliser cancelled out an opener by Sean Robinson for Ford Motors before the Grey Lambs prevailed 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out.

Cuddington bowed out following a 6-3 reverse at Cheadle Heath Nomads reserves, where Jack Glimond, Tom Duncalf and Danny Hancock were on target for the visitors.

They have an early opportunity to avenge that defeat when the teams meet at Norley Road on Saturday for a Cheshire League Two encounter.

Debutants Winnington Avenue 1994 were on the wrong end of a spot-kick reverse after letting slip a two-goal lead at home to Sandbach United reserves.

Jack Duffy and Tom Sneyd had found the net for the Northwich side at Park Stadium before their guests halved their arrears when Ryan Hanlon converted from a corner.

Substitute Azharul Haque was then alert to make the most of a quickly-taken throw-in to level before Sandbach sealed a 5-4 victory after a penalty shoot-out.

Middlewich Town’s reserves ran out 4-1 victors against Garswood A in a league encounter.

Matthew Cann, Kyle Maddock, Tom Smith and substitute Leon Maddock were on target as the Witches celebrated a fourth successive win.

Performance of the week

Lostock Gralam

When the Grey Lambs fell behind in their JA Walton Challenge Cup encounter with Cheshire League One rivals Ford Motors, an eight-match unbeaten run was under threat.

However player co-manager Dom Johnson, on as a substitute, restored parity and the first-round tie went to a penalty shoot-out.

Lostock didn’t falter, and successful conversions from Matthew Herd, Sean Tierney, Charlie Hatton, Josh Perry and Alex Wilson secured a 5-4 victory on spot-kicks.

Their reward is a home date with Grappenhall Sports in the last 16 on Saturday, October 27, kick-off 3pm.

Man to keep an eye on

Tom Smith (Middlewich reserves)

The Witches have won their past four matches in league and cup, and he has scored in each of them – including a brace in a 5-1 win at Golborne reserves.

Has proven as well he can make an impact from the bench after finding the net on two occasions during a cameo as a substitute.

Stat of the week

Lostock Gralam reached the end of September without defeat, scoring 20 goals in five games.

The Grey Lambs collected maximum points from three Cheshire League fixtures and progressed to the next stage of both the Cheshire FA Amateur Cup and the JA Walton Challenge Cup.

Quote of the week

“It was a frustrating afternoon.

“We’re at a higher level now, and my lads are learning the hard way that it only takes one mistake to be punished.

“I just hope they take these things on board before I’ve torn all of my hair out!”

Lewis Wood

Manager, Winnington Avenue 1994