MIDDLEWICH Town and Pilkington could not be separated during the Cheshire League’s match of the day and they shared the spoils after a 1-1 draw.

Matty Taylor put the St Helens side in front at Seddon Street before Harry Short diverted a flick-on by Dan Lomas into the net to level for the Witches, who remain three points clear at the top of the table.

Lostock Gralam show no signs of slowing after they cruised to a 4-0 win at Windle Labour in League One.

James Dean converted twice from the penalty spot to help the Grey Lambs establish control before substitutes Sean Tierney and Jack Woolley added their names to the score-sheet late on.

Cuddington, the holders, had to work much harder for a victory against FC Garston at Norley Road in the Northern Cup following the dismissals of Jack Glimond and Joe Lanceley.

Josh Mainwaring’s goal replied to the visitors’ opener before Adam Bettley netted late in extra-time to send the Northwich side through to the last 16.

“It was disappointing to see red cards but we worked so hard with nine men,” said Gareth Harwood, Cuddington’s manager.

Middlewich Town’s reserves ran out 2-1 victors at Clock Tower to take top spot in Group A and secure a place in the Mid-Cheshire District FA Challenge Cup last eight.

Tom Brain and Danny Martin scored the Witches’ goals and they progress as the only side to have won all three games.

Over 3 Grange join them as runners-up after hat-tricks for Zak Finnigan, Brandon Iceley and Joe Standish clinched a 12-0 victory at Winnington Avenue.

James Crowther, Darren Fox and Jamie Meakin were on target too for the visitors.

Meanwhile meeting between Winsford Saxons and Winnington Avenue 1994 in Group B was abandoned with 10 minutes left after a serious injury to the away team’s Mike Chubb.

Organisers meet on Thursday to decide if the result stands.

Barnton Wanderers were awarded maximum points after Witton Albion’s Development team conceded.

Performance of the week

Middlewich Town reserves

The Witches’ second string were the only side to progress to the Mid-Cheshire District FA Challenge Cup last eight with an unblemished record during the group-stage.

A 2-1 win at Clock Tower is their third in succession, and sends them through as Group A winners.

Best timing

Adam Bettley (Cuddington)

His goal with the clock ticking down during extra-time proved decisive in sending nine-man Cuddington through to the Northern Cup last 16 at the expense of visitors FC Garston.

It was a sad day for…

Winnington Avenue 1994

Mike Chubb suffered multiple fractures to his right leg during their meeting with Winsford Saxons in the Mid-Cheshire District FA Challenge Cup, prompting the game to be abandoned at 0-0.

“We’re gutted,” said Winnington manager Lewis Wood.

“He’s a key player and also a big character inside our dressing room.”

In numbers

Lostock are unbeaten now in 11 Cheshire League fixtures, prevailing in nine of those, and have collected 29 points from the past 33 on offer.

Quote of the week

“We stuck at it and got a deserved equaliser. It wasn’t the highest quality game, but we looked solid throughout.”

Michael Welch

Co-manager, Middlewich Town

Results

Saturday, November 17

Cheshire League

Premier Division: Altrincham res 3-0 Malpas; Congleton Vale 0-3 Denton; Daten 4-3 FC St Helens; Eagle 4-0 Billinge; Middlewich 1-1 Pilkington; Whaley Bridge 2-2 Greenalls PSO.

League One: Ford Motors 2-0 Grappenhall; Halebank 2-1 Golborne; Moore 3-5 Winstanley; Orford 3-0 Buxton res; Vulcan 2-4 Blacon; Windle Labour 0-4 Lostock Gralam.

League Two: Ashton Ath res 3-2 Sandbach res; Ashton Town res 4-0 Wythenshawe Town Development; St Helens Town res 0-3 Holmes Chapel.

Reserves Division: Broadheath Central 1-1 Daten; Garswood A 5-2 Moore; Winstanley 1-2 Vulcan.

Mid-Cheshire District FA Challenge Cup

Group A: Clock Tower 1-2 Middlewich res; Winnington Ave 0-12 Over 3 Grange.

Group B: Winsford Saxons Abn-Abn Winnington Ave 1994 (Match abandoned at 0-0 after 80 minutes due to serious injury); Witton Albion Development conceded to Barnton Wanderers.

Northern Cup

Second Round: ASC Face 1-3 Orford res; Billinge res 4-4 Gidlow Ath (aet, Gidlow won 5-4 on pens); Cuddington 2-1 FC Garston (aet); Golborne res 1-9 Leigh Rangers; Market Drayton Tigers 4-3 Pilkington res (aet); Mexoc 4-6 Christleton Argyle; North Walkden 3-0 Cuddington vets; Red Lions 1-12 Poynton res; Styal res 2-1 Digmoor (aet); Woodstreet Academy 1-2 Maine Road res.