DAVE Twite fielded five new summer signings as his Middlewich Town side made a solid start to the new season.

Paul Quine returned as skipper, alongside Michael Whitehurst in defence and Barry Crellin in goal.

Town also paraded a new strike partnership of Mike Woodray and Steve Burgess, two players also marking their returns to the club.

And it was the old boys who made an immediate impact as Town saw off Lostock Gralam in the Mid-Cheshire District Cup first round.

Quine played a delightful ball to Burgess, whose quick reaction set up Woodray to coolly slot in the opener after only 10 minutes.

Graham Wyatt denied Burgess a goal when he superbly tipped his header from a John Dickinson cross over the bar.

Wyatt then repeated the heroics by saving from Woodray, who connected superbly with Paul Bennett's corner.

However, Woodray didn't have to wait long for his second as the ever-accurate Paul Bennett picked him out on the stroke of half-time to nod in and make it 2-0.

Lostock pulled one back through Foster just minutes into the second period, and only the alert Quine prevented the home side breaking through for an equalizer.

However, once this danger was dispelled, Middlewich came back through assistant manager Alan Woan. He collected Whitehurst's pass, strode forward and unleashed a tremendous shot into the top corner of the net for 3-1.

The win has put Twite in confident mood for the Mid-Cheshire League campaign, which kicks off on Saturday, at Cheadle Heath Nomads (3pm).

He said: "I think we'll go close because we've got quite a settled squad now and not many changes to last season's side."

Burgess is doubtful for the match and Ben Barnard also picked up an injury on Saturday, but Andy Taylor is set to return.

Town's first league game at Seddon Street is next Wednesday against Whitchurch Alport (6.30pm) and they face Nantwich Town away in the next round of the District Cup.

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