TERRY Murphy has blamed himself for Town’s Cheshire FA Amateur Cup crash on Saturday.

The Witches slumped to an embarrassing 4-0 reverse at Cammell Laird Reserves on an afternoon to forget for the manager.

“It was my fault,” he said.

“I felt gutted afterwards because I knew I’d set the team up the wrong way to win the game and I’ve got to take responsibility for that.”

It means his quest to be crowned the county’s best with Middlewich must wait for another year.

The visitors were second best for long periods of a game in which they fell behind early on.

Murphy said: “We were always playing catch up.

“I think the scoreline flatters them because we had one or two chances of our own but there’s no doubt we had an off day, certainly our worst of the season.”

Shorn of stopper Shaun Came, winger Jonny Edwards and front man Jamie Petrie, the Town boss was short of options to turn around the game.

Keeper Chris Rowley also failed to impress in only his second start.

“At least two of their goals were avoidable,” said Murphy.

“But it’s pointless going over and over what happened, the important thing is we bounce back as soon as possible.”

Middlewich’s missing trio are all set to return in time for the visit of Cheshire League champions Styal to Seddon Street at the weekend, kick off 2.15pm.

With title rivals Greenalls and Woodley facing each other, Murphy knows a victory will strengthen his side’s hold on top spot.

“It’s a game we need to win,” he admitted.

“Styal have sorted out their recent problems and we need to be careful but with those three players back I’m confident we can get back to winning ways.”

The Witches’ defeat on the Wirral was their first in any competition since August.

They hold a four-point advantage over Woodley, who have two games in hand.