MIDDLEWICH Town scored five times in little more than half-an-hour to settle the outcome early of their Cheshire League One encounter with Halebank on Saturday.

Rory Gorton claimed three of those, while Nathan Devaney netted twice.

Daniel Whalley replied for the hosts before the break, and again shortly after it, before Connor Speed made it 5-3.

However Devaney completed a personal treble for the Witches before Whalley became the third player in the game to notch a hat-trick.

“We switched off in the second-half but we’d been outstanding in the first,” said co-manager Ross Speight.

“Our goals were of a high-quality because we had to work hard to create chances.”

Improving Lostock Gralam continued their climb up the table following a 3-1 win at Halebank on Monday.

Captain Carl Harvey bagged a brace, and Jack Woolley was on target too, as they recorded a sixth victory from their past seven league matches.

It also put behind them a 2-1 reverse at home to FC St Helens 48 hours earlier when Matty Herd’s neat finish accounted for the Grey Lambs’ goal.

They are due to host Styal tonight before meeting Barnton Wanderers – the newly-crowned Crewe and District League Premier Division champions – in the Mid-Cheshire District FA Challenge Cup final at Barnton on Saturday.

Cuddington end a fortnight’s pause when they bid to reach the Northern Cup final this weekend.

A thrilling victory in the last eight against Styal’s reserves, when they fought back from 3-0 down before prevailing in a penalty shoot-out, has clinched a date with Pilkington’s second string in the semi-finals.

Market Drayton Tigers await the victors.