THERE were contrasting fortunes for our two sides in this afternoon’s FA Cup second qualifying ties.
Witton Albion won on the road to book their spot in the next round, but 1874 Northwich’s run was brought to an end.
Albion were 2-1 victors at Crook Town in a game that saw all three goals scored in the first half-hour.
Reece Daly put Ben Harrison’s side into a 10th-minute lead that was doubled by Joel Bailey nine minutes later and while Josh Macdonald halved the deficit for the hosts shortly afterwards, that was how it stayed.
"We’re just delighted," assistant manager Jim Lawrie said.
"The boys have stood up – every single one of them – when we’ve been bombarded by long throws and set pieces.
"To a man, they were brilliant and to be fair, we should have killed the game off a lot sooner than we did. We had a lot of chances but the boys stuck to their task so we’re made up.
"We were quite comfortable at 2-0 up, but they got a goal that was a bit of a fluke.
"The boys didn’t crumble or go back into their shells, they just cracked on."
Meanwhile, a two-division gap proved too much for 1874 Northwich to bridge as they were beaten 3-0 by Northern Premier League Premier Division side Guiseley.
All three of the home side’s goals came after the hour mark as Will Longbottom netted twice either side of a Jack Emmett strike.
In league action, Northwich Victoria were beaten 2-1 at Stourport Swifts in the Midland Football League Premier Division, with Sam Unwin missing a second-half penalty shortly after the hosts had scored what turned out to be their winner.
Mackenzie Faulkner had levelled for Vics before the break after the home side had taken the lead, but Matt Barnes’ side return home empty-handed.
In the North West Counties League First Division South, Winsford United were held to a goalless draw at home by Runcorn Town but Barnton produced an excellent fightback to win 3-1 at Eccleshall.
The Villagers had fallen behind just after half time but goals from Joseph Downey, Lee Turkington and Dexter Jackson-Keane secured their victory.
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