Chorlton Town 2

Middlewich Town 3

Mid-Cheshire League

Saturday, October 9

MANAGER Dave Twite fielded his most recent signing Tim Pole, who signed from Gresley Rovers in mid-week, and a debutant stole the show for the second week running, after last week's heroics from Jason Jones.

Pole, operating on the right side of midfield, tormented Chorlton's defence all afternoon with lightening speed and quality crossing.

Middlewich totally dominated the first half, with their much improved passing and movement, instigated by the ever impressive Paul Bennett.

However, they were nearly caught out by their own self belief, as keeper Karl Walton smartly saved at the feet of Glass after a long ball from Chorlton's defence was misjudged by Ian Tier.

The second half saw a much more spirited Chorlton side and they put Middlewich under some pressure, but again two fine saves from Walton deprived them of taking the lead.

But in the 66 minute, Johnson crashed in a header after being left unmarked to put the home side ahead.

Middlewich looked to be shell-shocked and this was seen to be true when Grayson beat Tier and blasted a low shot past Walton to put the home side two goals up.

Middlewich were still trying to play the ball on the ground, but to no avail and time was running out. With 10 minutes to go Twite played his masterstroke, making three substitutions, bringing on Miranda, Woan and Bircumshaw for Melia Ingham and the tired Pole.

Dramatically for Middlewich this completely turned the game on its head, from 2-0 down, Middlewich came back.

Bircumshaw, with his first contribution, won the ball in midfield, Tier took control and played a superb ball for Lewis who beat the offside trap and chipped the keeper from 20 yards.

Middlewich's second came from good work by Bennett, and Les Miranda did the rest, with a delightful chip over the on-rushing keeper to put Middlewich level with 90 minutes up.

From the re-start Nicholson won back possession for the now on fire Middlewich attack and it was the galloping centre-half who crossed for Miranda to steer his header into the roof of the net to send the Middlewich travelling support ecstatic.

The referee only had time to blow the final whistle in what was a pulsating last 10 minutes.

Middlewich: Walton, Pole, Barnard, Tier, Nicholson, Corcoran, Melia, Ingham, Whitehurst, Bennett, Lewis. Subs: Miranda, Woan, Bircumshaw.

Man of the match: Tim Pole.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.