LOSTOCK Gralam savoured again a winning feeling when they brushed aside back-markers Buxton reserves in Cheshire League One last weekend.

James Dean curled in direct from a free-kick to set the Grey Lambs on a course for victory before Robbie Hatton steered in a second goal after the interval.

Charlie Hatton’s header, from Carl Harvey’s set-piece, completed a productive afternoon.

The Grey Lambs sit second in the table, one point adrift of leaders Broadheath Central with a game in hand.

“Every point is crucial between now and the end of the season,” reflected co-manager Dom Johnson.

“It doesn’t matter who we’re up against, and we’re just happy to have added another three to our total.”

Winnington Avenue 1994’s momentum was halted after runaway leaders Ashton Athletic reserves prevailed 3-1 in their League Two meeting.

Nick Newman’s goal put the Northwich side in front before their guests rallied late on to take maximum points after Michael Evans, Harry Johnson and substitute Jamie Charnock found the net.

“To lose like that was heart-breaking,” admitted Winnington boss Lewis Wood.

“We’d bossed the game earlier and just switched off.”

Middlewich reserves recovered from 2-0 down to earn a share of the spoils from a meeting with their Moore United counterparts in the Reserves Division.

Cuddington’s defence of a Northern Cup crown they took last season ended after a defeat at home to Maine Road reserves at the quarter-finals stage.

Performance of the week

Lostock Gralam

It’s tight at the top of League One, and an efficient job at struggling Buxton reserves has improved the Grey Lambs’ position.

They can overtake leaders Broadheath Central if they win a game in hand.

It was a frustrating day for…

Cuddington

They had already dispatched Maine Road reserves in a League Two fixture at Norley Road back in September.

A defeat against the same opponents, this time in the Northern Cup last-eight, will sting after they won the competition last season.

In numbers

Lostock Gralam have now won their past seven Cheshire League matches away from Park Stadium

What they said

“If you said to me at the start of the season that we’d be this gutted after almost beating the division’s best team then I’d have bitten your hand off.”

Lewis Wood

Co-manager, Winnington Avenue 1994