JACOB Kirwan was Winsford United’s hero as they knocked National League Altrincham out of the Cheshire Senior Cup.
The 2024/25 North West Counties Goalkeeper of the Year award winner saved a second-half spot kick and two more in the shoot-out as Blues went through 6-5 on penalties.
After the tie at Barton Stadium finished 0-0, Kal Boyle, Reece Davies, Matty Birchall, Danny Kerr, Steve Jenyons and finally Michail Eleftheriadis hit the mark from the spot to see the Midland League side progress to the second round on Tuesday, November 18, when they will host Northern Premier League side Runcorn Linnets.
Knockout football was also the order of the night for Witton Albion and 1874 Northwich, with both sides losing.
Witton returned to the scene of Saturday’s Northern Premier League West 1-1 draw but this time fell 2-0 to Vauxhall Motors to bow out of the Cheshire Senior Cup.
Ben Harrison had made four changes to his starting line-up, including handing a debut to former Everton centre back Jack Tierney who was brought in on dual registration from National League North side Marine on Friday.
And he felt his side performed well despite the loss.
"The only negative really is that we got beat," he concluded.
"It's a bit frustrating because I thought we were good, especially the second half I thought we were on top.
"Every time we went forward we looked like we were going to score. First half we should have scored a couple. Vauxhalls were a threat in the first half from set-pieces which we dealt with okay.
"Young Harry (Woods) came on and within 10 minutes created some great runs and pace, and gt three good chances. I just said to him that in training he scores them, he's got that ability and it'll come. I'm made up for him how well he did.
"Vauxhalls won it in one moment really. We were a bit lazy coming out, not because we wanted to be but through tired legs, and Vauxhalls have got quality.
"Maybe their mentality is a winning one at the moment and ours is just not there but performance-wise I thought we were brilliant. We just lacked that killer instinct and we got done from one moment."
1874 exited the Midland League Cup at Hanley 4-1, though the scoreline flatters the hosts.
Chris Herbert’s men fell a goal behind in the 23rd minute when a free-kick went under emergency keeper Jacson Coppack, the midfielder taking over the nets due to Jack Atkinson being in the sin bin.
Hanley took control with a second goal before the break but a 48th-minute penalty from Kyle Worsley gave 1874 a lifeline.
Two minutes later though Hanley restored their two-goal advantage and after soaking up increasing 1874 pressure wrapped up the scoring on the counter in the 87th minute.
Barnton moved up to fourth in North West Counties League First Division South thanks to a 5-0 victory at struggling Cammell Laird 1907, with Gerald-Junior McCullion and Ryan Jackson each scoring twice in the second half after Charley Jarrald’s 33rd-minute opener.
Fixtures, Saturday, 3pm:
Northern Premier League West: Wythenshawe Town v Witton Albion.
Midland League Premier Division: Northwich Victoria v Studley, Abbey Hulton United v Winsford United.
North West Counties League First Division South: Barnton v Telford Town.
Fixtures, Tuesday, 7.45pm:
NPL West: Kidsgrove Athletic v Witton Albion.
Midland League Cup: Hanley Town v 1874 Northwich.
