Middlewich Town 4 Poynton 3

Mid Cheshire League Division One

TOWN started at a blistering pace and were three goals up within the first 10 minutes.

The first goal was scored by debut player Gareth Langley after only two minutes. Moss whipped in a free-kick from the right and Langley met it with a thunderous header.

Langley then set up Town's second goal on four minutes by beating Poynton's defenders down the right wing and crossing to the near post, where Steve Rowlands controlled the ball and crashed his shot into the top corner of the net.

Middlewich's third came after nine minutes, with Swift moving forwards from right back and crossing into the box. With Poynton's defence static Tier, with his back to goal, spun to slot the ball into the bottom corner.

Karl Walton, in goal for Middlewich, had his first touch from a backpass from Wilson. Town were moving the ball with pace and were advancing in numbers.

Jason Cain came close to making it 4-0 after good work by Steve Oliver opened up Poynton's defence, but his effort was well saved.

Middlewich were going forward at every opportunity, but were caught on the counter by Poynton, who opened their account after 12 minutes.

But it didn't stop Town, who straight from the kick off made it 4-1. Rowlands went on a magnificent run and struck a terrific shot, which beat the keeper but hit the crossbar. As the ball bounced down, Steve Olliver followed up and side-footed into an empty net.

The game had to calm down and it did so for a few moments until Langley again made a run down the right and put in a splendid cross, which was again met by Rowlands, once again hitting the bar.

The second period saw Town introduce youngster Dave Heywood for the injured Steve Olliver, which meant that they were fielding six players under the age of 20.

Poynton also had a reshuffle and it paid dividends for them, as 10 minutes after the restart they got a goal back to make it 4-2.

This seemed to put Middlewich in a panic, and Poynton began to push forward, causing problems for Mike Jump and Lee Wilson.

Middlewich weathered Poynton's onslaught and nearly added to their tally when Langley again attacked Poynton's defence and struck a shot just wide of the goal.

With five minutes remaining Poynton got a third after a mistake by Craig Johnson let in Allen to strike past Walton.

But Town held on for the win and manager Dave Twite said: "The first 45 minutes was the best we've played since I became manager.

"We passed well, we attacked with pace and we finished superbly. It was very encouraging."

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