Daten 1-1 Middlewich Town

GEORGE Hopkins second-half goal earned for Middlewich Town a draw their performance deserved at Daten.

His sixth strike of the campaign, taken expertly after Michael Whitehead and captain Sam O’Sullivan had combined in the build-up, cancelled out Jack Challinor’s spectacular opener for the home team.

The Witches sit second in Cheshire League One on goal-difference, although they have the same number of points as Egerton.

“I felt we did enough to win,” said co-manager Ross Speight.

“But it’s a valuable point on the road because, like us, Daten hope to be challenging for promotion this season.”

An untidy opening ended when Challinor’s attempt from distance looped into the top corner on 18 minutes.

Middlewich eventually settled, and prompted Daten goalkeeper Andrew Hewitt to make a pair of saves before Jamie Petrie’s effort struck the woodwork.

Town dominated after the interval, and Hopkins’ leveller was a reward.

Substitute Michael Evans almost marked his return to first-team duty with a goal shortly after his arrival before Petrie and Chris Lunn, also on as a replacement, were both thwarted by an in-form Hewitt.

Town’s reserves registered a first victory in the Cheshire League since August when they edged Pilkington by the odd goal in five at Seddon Street on Saturday.

Nathan Devaney, Daniel Martin and Oliver Tobin were on target in a 3-2 win that propels them to fifth position in the table.

Results

Cheshire League

Saturday, October 7

League One: AFC Macclesfield 3-0 West Didsbury & Chorlton res; Daten 1-1 Middlewich Town; FC St Helens 9-1 Golborne Sports

Reserves Division: Greenalls PSO 2-3 FC St Helens res; Middlewich 3-2 Pilkington