1874 started their defence of the Macron Cup in superb style with an emphatic 5-1 win over Cheadle Heath Nomads, writes Matt Waters.

The greens secured their place in the second round thanks to goals from Callum Gardner, Matt Woolley, Mike Koral, Taylor Kennerley and Scott McGowan.

With 1874 playing lower ranked opposition in Cheadle Heath Nomads, they knew they still had to put in a good performance to get through, and they certainly did.

The game started brightly for the holders as 1874 took the lead in the second minute through Gardner.

After a nice piece of interplay from him and Scott McGowan, Gardner turned his man and fired home to give 1874 an early lead.

The remainder of the half became fairly cagey, with the greens dominating possession but failing to capitalise on their chances.

However, in the 42nd minute, captain Matt Woolley doubled the advantage.

With the ball bouncing around in the box off a Sam Hare corner, Woolley managed to volley the ball into the back of the net to give the greens the lead at half time.

Just like the first half, 1874 started the second in excellent fashion extending their lead to three after a brilliant ball from Nathan Okome found Mike Koral who placed his shot past the outstretched arm of Aaron Tyler to make it 3-0.

Moments later, however, Nomads cut the deficit to two goals.

Ashley Harrison found space on the left-hand side and calmly finished past Tony Aghayere to make it 3-1 after 52 minutes.

After the Nomads goal, 1874 took full control of the game and managed to dominate possession, making sure they faced no real threat for the remainder of the tie.

1874 created a number of half chances however McGowan and Taylor Kennerley failed to convert.

Then five minutes from time, 1874 made it four.

A good piece of play from Kennerley saw him cut in on his right foot and finished calmly to make it 4-1.

Soon after they made it five.

A ball down the right-hand side from new signing Joe Duckworth fell into the path of McGowan whose effort from a tight angle nestled into the goal to cap off an excellent performance for 1874, who will visit Irlam in the second round on November 9.