Middlewich Town 4-1 Winsford Saxons

ROSS Speight hailed George Hopkins after his double helped Middlewich Town see off the challenge of Winsford Saxons in the Mid-Cheshire District FA Challenge Cup.

The Witches are through to the semi-finals as a result.

“It was great to see George get back on the score-sheet,” said the co-manager.

“He’s worked hard to recover from an ankle injury, and so it’s pleasing he’s found his shooting boots again.

“It’s important as well not to rely on Sam Wakefield, even though he is in form, and to share the goals around.”

A frantic opening featured Ste Hughes send a long-distance shot against the crossbar for the visitors to Seddon Street before Nath Devaney’s attempt struck the woodwork at the other end.

Wakefield finished clinically from just inside the penalty area to put the home team in front following fine approach play by Geoff Basford and Michael Whitehead.

Hughes levelled though with a low drive before Hopkins made it 2-1 ahead of the interval when he converted from Whitehead’s cross.

The Witches improved in the second-half, and Wakefield netted his 19th goal of the campaign after dribbling around the goalkeeper.

Hopkins completed the scoring with a back-post header from Adam Morris’ corner.

Speight added: “It was a tough game; Saxons are a good side, and they made life difficult for us in the first-half.

“We raised the tempo after half-time though and put the game to bed.”

Middlewich | Jack Weedall (GK), McKay, Morris, Basford, Burgess, Twite, Wakefield, Whitehead, Gorton, Devaney, Hopkins Subs (all used) Parkinson, Mitch Weedall, Beresford, Adamczyk, Welch