Witton Albion, 1874 Northwich and Northwich Victoria results

They had a brace of penalties from skipper Kingsley Williams to thank, with the second of them coming in the 90th minute, as they drew 2-2 at newly-promoted Vauxhall Motors.

Jon Macken’s side trailed after just seven minutes through Conor Harwood’s opener, but Williams levelled from 12 yards after Ryan Baxter was felled inside the box.

Michael Burkey put the hosts back in front inside the first minute of the second half before Williams’ second spot kick ensured a share of the spoils after Vauxhall keeper Sam Booth brought down Tom Pope.

“It was a poor performance from us overall,” Macken said post-match.

“Credit to them – they’re a good team who have just been promoted – but I don’t think our performance justified how we’ve prepared in pre-season.

“We just weren’t at the races today – they stopped a lot of the things we wanted to do but our overall play irrespective of how they set up was really poor.

“It’s a point away from home which we’ll take – we’ll take the positives out of pulling a draw from a defeat, but we’ll be better than that.”

Kingsley Williams converts from the penalty spot (Image: Karl Brooks Photography)

Closer to home, 1874 Northwich suffered a heavy 6-2 home defeat to Kidsgrove Athletic to start their season.

Jamie Nicholson had given Greens a seventh-minute lead at Townfield, but the hosts were 4-1 down by half-time thanks to goals from Kieran Knapper, Jake Lovatt and a Josh Thorpe brace before Mark Jones’ own goal early in the second half compounded their misery.

Jack Irlam pulled a goal back for 74 from the penalty spot, but Thorpe then completed his hat-trick to round off the scoring late on.

Meanwhile, Northwich Victoria’s first game in the Midland Football League saw them come from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Studley at the U Lock It Stadium.

Daniel Noke headed the visitors in front early on and while Ryan Jackson lashed home a half-volley to level the scores, Studley were back in front before half time thanks to Zachary Guinan’s goal.

However, Sam Unwin’s equaliser in the early stages of the second half saw Vics pull level again and that was how it stayed.

“I thought the performance was a pretty good one given the huge transition we are going through,” manager Steve Pickup said.

“Studley are a very good, well organised and powerful outfit and will be very hard to beat this season.

“I thought we just edged it in terms of chances and positions we got into and chances created.

“I'm extremely proud for the effort and attitude that every player showed including the ones who came off the bench and the ones who didn't get on.”

In the North West Counties League, Winsford United fell to a 2-0 defeat at Market Drayton Town in the First Division South.

Second-half goals from Nathan Brayford and Thomas Messham proved decisive for the hosts as Lee Duckworth’s men were condemned to their fourth defeat from as many games to remain bottom of the table.

Barnton fared slightly better as they put an end to hosts Stockport Town’s perfect start by returning home with a 0-0 draw.

Middlewich Town remain top of the Cheshire Football League Premier Division despite suffering a 2-0 defeat at Broadheath Central on Saturday – their first loss of the season.

Josh Harper scored twice for the hosts to confirm defeat for the Witches, who also had Keelan Darlington sent off.

Lostock Gralam fared much better, with Luke Duckworth’s 85th-minute winner the only goal in a 1-0 win at AFC Knowsley as they kept up their unbeaten start.

In League Two, Winsford Town were beaten 2-1 on the road at Newton-le-Willows, with Scott Taylor on target for Rob Hopley’s men.