WITTON Albion finally returned to winning ways, but Winsford United are out of the FA Vase.
On a busy Saturday, 1874 Northwich claimed a welcome victory, a first win under the new Northwich Victoria management team remains elusive while Barnton match on in the Macron Cup.
James Baillie’s first goal for Witton was a belter, securing a 2-1 home success against Wythenshawe Town.
The 29-year-old defender, brought in from higher-division Warrington Rylands last month, made the most of a well-worked corner routine.
He picked up a rolling ball two yards outside the penalty box to the right of goal, took one touch and then sweetly curled the ball away from the keeper into the bottom left-hand corner of the net in the 73rd minute.
Mamadou Djabi’s scrambled effort that put Witton in front in the ninth minute also came from a corner, with the inswinging cross reaching him through a crowded box and he stabbed the ball home at the second attempt before the keeper could get a grasp of the ball.
Albion’s lead was pegged back by Chinedu Uche in the 32nd minute but Witton had the ace in the pack in Baillie to seal his side’s first win in eight matches, ending a run of five successive losses.
Ben Harrison’s men ended the day in 18th spot, having climbed out of the relegation zone.
1874 stayed fourth in the Midland League Premier Division thanks to their 2-0 home success against 10-man Stourport Swifts.
The visitors had a player sent off in the 27th minute when striker Joel Jones was taken down while through on goal.
Stourport battled away but the amount of possession that 1874 enjoyed took its toll in the end.
When the visiting keeper palmed down a cross the ball fell at the feet of Liam Fitzpatrick and he turned the ball home for the opener after 63 minutes.
Stourport still offered a threat and 1874 were grateful to a fine double save from Mike Shorthouse to keep the contest at 1-0.
The points were finally in the bag when Josh Oultram played the ball through to Jacson Coppack, who crossed for Eden Bailey to finish well.
Vics missed a glut of chances as they fell 1-0 at Studley in the Midland League Premier Division.
The hosts needed only the one opportunity to clinch the win in the 53rd minute.
Lee Duckworth and Luke Goddard, still seeking their first win as Vics co-managers, will be happier with the all-round performance apart from what didn’t happen for them in the final third of the field.
Winsford United missed out on making FA Vase history, failing to reach the fourth round for the first time when they fell 2-1 at home to Midland League side Sutton United.
They will be disappointed, having taken a ninth-minute lead and the visitors being down to 10 men from midway through the second half after a two-footed challenge on youngster Will Eaton.
Winsford had chances to get back on level terms, namely through Eaton’s shot from distance which was tipped over the bar by the keeper, while an effort from Ollie McDonough rattled a post.
Blues were not at their best though, even when they led in the first period thanks to a headed goal from skipper Steve Jenyons.
Between Sutton equalising and edging ahead in the 29th and 43rd minutes, they had another goal ruled out for offside as they enjoyed a match-winning purple patch.
Barton progressed to the third round of the Macron Cup thanks to a 3-2 home win against Market Drayton Town on Friday night.
Finley Rooke (38), Giovanni Lazaro (45) and Rio Hobson (79) were their scorers, while David Ablewhite (30, 90) twice netted for Town.
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