MIDDLEWICH Town can all but make certain they will return to the Cheshire League’s top-flight if they avoid defeat tonight.

They sit sixth the second division ahead of a trip to Windle Labour – their final fixture of the campaign.

However with the top five teams expected to be promoted, subject to the outcome of a meeting to decide the competition’s make-up for next season tomorrow, the Witches need only a point to trade places with Lostock Gralam ahead of them.

“We’ve one last hurdle to get over,” said co-manager Ross Speight.

“Everybody has worked incredibly hard to get into the position we’re in, and if we play like we’re capable [against Windle Labour] then we’ll be back where we belong.”

A bumper crowd of more than 200, boosted by players from the club’s junior section, watched them dispatch Halebank last weekend.

They took time to settle, but did not look back from the moment Michael Evans danced through the visitors’ defence before lifting a cute finish over the goalkeeper.

Leading goal-scorer Rory Gorton then increased his goals tally for the campaign to 20 with a brace and Mark Adamczyk fired in from the edge of the penalty area to make it 4-0 by the break.

He doubled his personal haul from close-range in the second period before Dean Burgess converted from the penalty spot after Jamie Petrie had been felled.

A rout was complete when Scott Twite leapt to meet a corner with a header.

The Witches sent on Adam Morris as a substitute for his final appearance after announcing he intends to retire at the end of the campaign.

“He’s been a regular since joining an under eights team here as a kid,” added Speight.

“So it was great to see him get a reception that he really deserves.”

Kick-off tonight is 7pm.