NORTHWICH Victoria succumbed to a stoppage-time goal when they lost to Whitchurch on the opening day of a new season.

Sean Griffiths was the visitors’ match-winner at Wincham Park, sending a shot past Vics goalkeeper Danny Taberner after fine approach play by Joe Cuff.

 

 

It will not have lifted the hosts’ mood that substitute Morgan Crowther, in an offside position, applied a touch to Rob Doran’s header before it found the net only moments earlier.

“If that had stood then we’d have been celebrating a 1-0 win and not them,” said manager Steve Wilkes.

“We had chances to score, which is a good sign, but it’s disappointing to lose.

“You have to make a good start in this league if you’re serious about being promoted.”

It was a happier afternoon for Winsford United, who recovered from conceding an early goal to beat Burscough.

Sam Turnbull put the Linnets in front inside two minutes before debutant D’Arcy O’Connor restored parity for Lee Duckworth’s men.

They missed a chance to establish a lead at the break when Dave Short’s spot-kick was saved by former Witton Albion goalkeeper Dom Garner, but rallied after it.

Danny Thomas was left unmarked at a corner to head a second goal for the away side before Kyle McGonigle’s free-kick made it 3-1.

 

 

Barnton recorded a 3-0 win at Ellesmere Rangers in the North West Counties League’s First Division South.

Skipper Sam Houghton’s penalty in the moments before half-time set James McShane’s men on a course for victory and they added to their advantage through Luke Wilson-Jones' stunning strike.

 

 

Substitute Connor Anderson then finished neatly to complete an encouraging afternoon for the Villagers.

Witton Albion continued their preparations for a curtain-raiser at Whitby Town in the Northern Premier League’s top-flight when they beat Mossley in a friendly.

Tom Owens’ glancing header from Billy Smart’s cross separated the teams.

Results 

Saturday, August 3 

North West Counties League 

Premier Division 

1874 Northwich 4-1 Padiham
Ashton Athletic 2-2 Skelmersdale United
Avro 1-2 Longridge Town
Barnoldswick Town 3-3 Congleton Town
Bootle 1-1 Hanley Town
Burscough 1-3 Winsford United
Irlam 2-2 Litherland REMYCA 
Northwich Victoria 0-1 Whitchurch Alport
Runcorn Town 2-1 Squires Gate
Rylands 3-2 Charnock Richard 

First Division South

Abbey Hey 2-4 Vauxhall Motors 
Abbey Hulton United 0-4 FC Oswestry Town
Alsager Town 1-2 Maine Road
Cammell Laird 2-0 Cheadle Town 0 
Cheadle Heath Nomads 1-1 Stone Old Alleynians 
Eccleshall 0-4 West Didsbury & Chorlton
Ellesmere Rangers 0-3 Barnton
St Martins 3-1 New Mills
Stockport Town 1-2 Wythenshawe Amateurs 
Wythenshawe Town 1-2 Sandbach United