Middlewich Town 1 Lostock Gralam 0

Mid Cheshire LeagueMIDDLEWICH started this encounter with their near neighbours very sloppily and nearly fell behind when Astbury thundered a shot at goal.

But goalkeeper Karl Walton pulled off a good save, making it look easy.

Middlewich were struggling to find any rhythm and their passing left a lot to be desired.

Finally after half an hour of play, Town had their first effort at goal and it came from centre back Ian Tier, who carried the ball forward from his defensive position and struck a shot from 20 yards out, which Lostock's keeper saved well.

Lostock were frustrating Town with their dogged defending, but Middlewich broke the deadlock in the 40th minute after good work by Andy Swift.

He played a splendid ball for Lee Wilson, who crossed for the unmarked Jason Cain. A bullet header from Cain was brilliantly saved, but the rebound fell kindly for Cain, who crashed the ball home at the second attempt.

The second half saw Middlewich more in the mood for the game, and the introduction of young Gareth Langley, for the injured Lee Wilson, brightened things up for Town.

The youngster started to run at Lostock's defence and attack the by-line.

Middlewich were now in total control of matters, but poor finishing by Rowlands, Terry Cain and Jason Cain kept the score to a nailbiting 1-0.

WITCHES goalkeeper Karl Walton, after keeping a clean sheet on Saturday, carried on the good work the following day - at the other end of the field.

He turned out as an emergency striker for Mid Cheshire in the Cheshire County FA District Youth Cup and banged in all four goals in their victory over Stalybridge.

The 4-0 win was their second in the group stages, following the win over Wirral in which the versatile Walton, playing in goal, was man of the match.

The Mid Cheshire FA's next group game is at home to Crewe at the end of October at a venue yet to be decided.

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