MIDDLEWICH Town will face Lostock Gralam in Mid-Cheshire District FA Challenge Cup final after seeing off Cuddington on Saturday.

n Cuddington 1 n Middlewich 5

The visitors reached their first final since 2012 with a convincing win thanks to a Michael Evans hat-trick and goals from Joe O’Sullivan and Jack Bryning.

Cuddington defender Scott Ravenscroft had levelled for the hosts, but the Witches struck four times to keep hopes of a ninth cup crown alive.

They broke the deadlock 19 minutes in, with good advantage played by the referee for Evans to run and volley from the edge of the box.

His shot was saved, but the Cuddington stopper parried into James Smith’s pass and he crossed for Bryning to loop a header into the net.

Town’s lead would not last long and within two minutes Ravenscroft rose unmarked to nod beyond Middlewich keeper Martyn East to level.

It took until five minutes after the break for Middlewich to restore their lead, and when Matty Jamieson was fouled on the edge of the box O’Sullivan lashed home the free kick for his 11th goal of the season.

That lead was increased to two on 64 minutes when Evans capitalised on a defensive error to round the keeper and stroke home.

Town, who lost only one of their past 10 games in all competitions, effectively sealed their passage to the final with little over 20 minutes remaining when good work from Smith saw Evans react quickest to head past the keeper.

Town continued to test the opposition stopper, only for Jamieson to dribble round him before shooting wide from a tight angle.

Evans completed the rout, and his hat-trick, in the final minute, when Jamieson across the keeper only for the ball to ricochet off the post into his teammate’s path.

Lostock beat Rudheath in the other last four clash.

The Witches visit Grappenhall Sports in League One next Saturday, kick off 3pm. Middlewich won the return game 3-1 before Christmas.