LOSTOCK Gralam were reminded they still have work to do if they want to be promoted as League One champions after slipping to a 4-1 defeat at Vulcan last weekend.

They are the only side to beat the Grey Lambs in both meetings this season following a 2-1 win at Park Stadium in the return.

Matty Smith’s double established a lead for the team from Newton-le-Willows before Ben Crowe added to their advantage.

Lostock reduced their arrears through Matthew Herd’s bullet header but substitute Gary Crook’s strike put the hosts out of their guests’ reach.

It leaves a team managed jointly by Dean Jones and Dom Johnson four points clear at the table's summit with two games left to play.

Max Linaker’s hat-trick was a highlight for Cuddington when they put seven goals without reply past hosts Mersey Valley.

He teed up Callum Payne for an opening goal before Ben Curbishley doubled the visitors’ lead.

Linaker’s run started with a lobbed effort and he doubled his personal tally to put Cuddy further in front.

Danny Hancock’s strike from distance made it 5-0 and 30 seconds later the midfielder found the net again.

Linaker completed the scoring as Gaz Harwood’s side extended a winning run in League Two to five matches.

Depleted Winnington Avenue 1994 could not prevent Maine Road reserves from completing a double when they were edged by the odd goal in five.

Jack Duffy and Sam Didsbury were on target for the Northwich side in a 3-2 defeat.

They lost at Cheadle Heath reserves last Wednesday too.

“We picked up injuries after playing three games in less than a week and it’s killed us,” said manager Lewis Wood.

His side's hopes of being promoted at the end of their debut campaign, after switching from the Crewe and District League last summer, are over after they drop to sixth.

Middlewich Town’s reserves let slip a 2-0 lead during a defeat to their Styal counterparts in the Reserves Division Challenge Cup final.

Goals from Liam Blackhurst and Daniel Martin either side of the interval set the Witches on a course for victory but their opponents scored five times in 40 minutes to claim the trophy.

Player of the week

Max Linaker (Cuddington)

His treble during a man-of-the-match display keeps his side third in the table and in with a chance of promotion

Bogey teams do exist...

Vulcan are the only team to beat Lostock Gralam, which they have done twice, in League One since August 7

In numbers

Cuddington are unbeaten in eight Cheshire League games since January 1

What they said

“We’ve proved everybody wrong by not finishing bottom of the table this season and that’s worth more than any trophy.”

Lewis Wood

Manager, Winnington Avenue 1994

Results

Cheshire League

Saturday, April 20

Premier Division: Billinge 1-0 Egerton; Crewe 1-3 Eagle; FC St Helens 2-3 Whaley Bridge; Greenalls PSO 2-1 Denton; Pilkington 1-0 Congleton Vale

League One: Grappenhall 1-6 Broadheath Central; Vulcan 4-1 Lostock Gralam; Winstanley 2-3 Windle Labour

League Two: Cheadle Town res 5-0 Sandbach Utd res; Club AZ 3-4 Ashton Town res; Cuddington 7-0 Mersey Valley; Rylands res 0-2 St Helens Town res; Winnington Ave 1994 2-3 Maine Road res

Reserves Division: Daten 2-3 Garswood A; Eagle 1-0 Poynton; Golborne 2-1 Moore

Reserves Division Challenge Cup

Final: Middlewich 2-5 Styal (at Knutsford FC)