MIDDLEWICH Town manager Terry Murphy believes the current crop of players at the club are the best he has worked with.

His comments come on the back of Town's 2-0 win over Bollington in the first round of the Cheshire Amateur FA Cup.

A win that has put Middlewich's season back on track after their defeat by Knutsford the week before.

Murphy said: "We did really well against Bollington on Saturday and we should have won by more.

"We've been struggling for goals recently, but then we have been without Mike Brandon, Joey Roberts and young Whitney.

"I'll have Brandon and Whitney back for this weekend's match and we'll have Lee Morgan and Ryan Broadhead back too so we should have a full squad available.

"We've got a big squad to choose from and it is getting difficult to pick a team.

"In fact, this is probably the best squad of players I've worked with since coming to Middlewich.

"Having said that, a good squad doesn't mean you are going to perform well.

"But I'm really pleased with all the lads and I can't fault anyone's commitment as they are all fantastic."

And the quality of Murphy's squad will be tested to the full this weekend when they travel to second placed Linotype/Cheadle.

Linotype are one point ahead of Middlewich and have a game in hand over Murphy's men.

He added: "It is never easy to go to Linotype and get a result as they are a good side and always make it difficult.

"But we've got to beat them - it is a must win game for us."

l AS Middlewich Town go in search of Mid Cheshire Division One glory, Middlewich Reserves continue to struggle.

Following a 0-0 draw with Eagle Sports, they are now just one point off the bottom of the Reserves Division with Bollington the only team below them.