WITTON Albion moved away from the Northern Premier League top-flight’s relegation zone following an impressive 2-0 win at Stalybridge Celtic.

Captain Rob Hopley’s glancing header from Danny McKenna’s cross established an interval lead at Bower Fold where Tom Owens doubled the visitors’ advantage.

Josh Wardle and McKenna also saw shots strike the woodwork for Carl Macauley’s side, who are six points clear of third-bottom Mickleover.

Joel Brownhill scored a decisive goal for Northwich Victoria against Abbey Hey in the North West Counties League to extend a winning run in the Premier Division to four matches.

There was frustration for Winsford United, who included new recruits Josh Samberg and Rio Gill in their starting line-up for a narrow 2-1 reverse at Bootle.

Dave Short’s strike replied to Ryan Cox’s first-half opener for the home team before Ben Cartwright’s goal settled the outcome in the Bucks’ favour to leave Blues two points clear of the drop zone.

In the First Division South, Colmn Lynch was on target for visitors Cammell Laird in a 1-0 win at Barnton.

A line-up for the Mid-Cheshire District FA Saturday Challenge Cup semi-finals is complete after the remaining last-eight ties – postponed seven days earlier – were completed.

Striker Joe Lanceley’s hat-trick was a highlight for Cuddington in a 4-1 win against Winsford Saxons at Moss Farm, where Jack Glimond was also on target.

Alex Chu replied for the Crewe and District League side.

Middlewich will have two teams in the last four; their reserves prevailed at Barnton Wanderers, while the Witches’ first-team put five goals without reply past Winsford outfit Over 3 Grange.

Holders Lostock Gralam had eliminated Winnington Avenue 1994 last week.

Jacob Snelson scored twice in the second-half for Winnington Avenue when they lost 4-2 at home to Mary Dendy in the Crewe and District League.

Results

Saturday, February 9

Northern Premier League

Premier Division: Buxton 1-0 Gainsborough; Farsley Celtic 2-1 Nantwich; Hyde 1-2 Matlock; Marine 3-0 Mickleover; North Ferriby 0-2 Workington; Scarborough 4-1 Stafford; South Shields 3-3 Bamber Bridge; Stalybridge Celtic 0-2 Witton; Warrington 3-1 Hednesford; Whitby 1-1 Lancaster.

North West Counties League

Premier Division: Abbey Hey 0-1 Northwich Victoria; Bootle 2-1 Winsford; Runcorn Town 2-1 City of Liverpool; Squires Gate 3-4 Silsden.

First Division South: Abbey Hulton 3-5 Maine Road; Barnton 0-1 Cammell Laird; New Mills 1-3 FC Oswestry; Rylands 4-1 Stockport; St Martins 9-1 Stone Dominoes; Wythenshawe Town 4-0 Cheadle.

Cheshire League

Premier Division: Congleton Vale 3-1 Egerton; Crewe 4-4 Knutsford; Daten 0-1 Altrincham res; Greenalls PSO 1-1 Eagle.

League One: Orford 1-2 Grappenhall; Vulcan 1-2 Halebank.

League Two: Ashton Ath res 5-1 Mersey Valley; Club AZ 5-2 Cheadle Heath Nomads res; St Helens Town res 6-3 Rylands res; Sandbach Utd res 0-4 Winnington Ave 1994.

Reserves Division: Billinge 2-2 Broadheath Central; Pilkington 3-0 Moore.

Mid-Cheshire District FA Saturday Challenge Cup

Quarter-finals: Barnton Wanderers 1-3 Middlewich res; Cuddington 4-1 Winsford Saxons (at Moss Farm); Middlewich 5-0 Over 3 Grange.

Crewe and District League

Premier Division: Sandbach Curshaws 5-8 Madeley White Star; Sandbach Town 2-2 Tarporley; Winnington Ave 2-4 Mary Dendy.