CALLUM Herbert was the hat-trick hero for Winnington Avenue 94 Reserves in the Mid-Cheshire FA Cup on Saturday.

His treble inside half an hour saw his side to a 4-0 victory over Middlewich Town Reserves in the Group Stages with Jamie Dawson – signed from the Witches last week – scoring the other goal.

“A stormy one with relentless rain, which felt like it was coming down sideways at times, didn't make it a pleasant day,” Winnington manager Gary Lee Jamieson said.

“However, the lads knew what was at stake and they duly delivered in a game we controlled.

“The weather played its part in disrupting play a bit, but we kept the ball well enough, knowing a chance would present itself.”

In the same competition, Winnington Avenue’s first team hammered Winsford Saxons 11-0 as Ben Lambert, Bailey Sherlock and Steven Warburton all scored hat-tricks.

Josh Mainwaring and Joel Hind were the other goalscorers for 94.

Middlewich Town were 7-0 victors over Hartford FC Reserves, with Ste Hughes scoring twice.

Five more Witches players – Elliot Booth, Keelan Darlington, Jamie Garner, Thomas Stanton and Matthew Cann – also got on the scoresheet.

Meanwhile, Lostock Gralam were given a big scare by lower-ranked neighbours Hartford FC before eventually fighting back to win.

The Grey Lambs were 2-0 down at the break but a Joe Woolley hat-trick and a further goal from fellow substitute Myles Wadey secured a 4-2 win.