THERE were plenty of goals in games involving mid Cheshire sides when a new North West Counties League season started in the sunshine on Saturday.
Frustratingly for 1874 Northwich, they conceded six times in a head-to-head with City of Liverpool at Barton Stadium in Winsford.
A team managed by Paul Bowyer and Wayne Goodison was playing catch-up from the moment David Forbes met Luke Denson’s corner with a thumping header.
Craig Cairns’ hat-trick was a highlight for the Purps, while Callum Gardner’s perfectly-executed free-kick was the pick of the hosts’ goals in a 6-3 reverse.
Northwich Victoria included eight debutants in their starting line-up for a 5-3 victory at West Didsbury & Chorlton.
They let slip an lead established by goals from Billy Whittle and Joel Brownhill, but responded to their hosts’ rally after the interval by scoring twice more in quick succession through Joe Camozzi and Stuart McDonald.
Rob Doran’s late strike added gloss.
Winsford United were left frustrated after Abbey Hey came from 2-0 down to secure a share of the spoils from their meeting.
Dave Short’s penalty, plus a goal for Sam Marshall, put Lee Duckworth’s side in control.
However Paul Moore, manager at Vics last season, inspired a comeback by his new side in the second-half.
Barnton made a winning start in the newly-formed First Division South after Steve Warburton prodded in a decisive goal shortly after the interval of their meeting with debutants St Martins.
The Villagers played the closing stages at Townfield with 10 men following the dismissal of midfielder Sam Houghton as a punishment for being booked twice.
Told you didn’t we!
— Barnton FC (@barntonfc) August 4, 2018
56 minutes gone & @Warbywarbz85 prods home #Goal
1-0 Get in ⚫️⚪️⚫️
Middlewich Town marked their return to the Cheshire League’s top-flight with a 1-0 win at Whaley Bridge, where Jamie Petrie’s first-half strike separated the sides.
First team return to @CheshireFL top flight with a 1-0 away at @WhaleyBridgeFC #town
— Middlewich Town FC (@MiddlewichFC) August 4, 2018
Lostock Gralam lost 3-2 at promoted Winstanley Warriors in League One, Charlie Hatton netting both of the Grey Lambs’ goals.
FULL TIME@WWJFC 3
— Lostock Gralam FC 🐑 (@thegreylambs) August 4, 2018
Lostock Gralam 2
Not the best of opening games for us and all the best to Winstanley for the season and thanks for the hospitality. We have the chance to put it right on Tuesday.
Today's goals was a brace from @charliehatton_
It was a happier afternoon for Cuddington, who put eight goals past visitors St Helens Town reserves in a one-sided League Two encounter at Norley Road.
Callum Payne’s treble earned for him the man-of-the-match award while Brad Taberner, twice, Nick Harvey, Nathan Cawley and Tommy Duncalf were on target too.
Very pleased with how the lads played today. A high press and using our pace to our advantage massively paid off. Another big plus the average age of today’s squad was 21.115 years old. #CuddyFC
— Cuddington AFC (@CuddingtonA) August 4, 2018
Winnington Avenue 1994 made their debut in the same section after stepping up from the Crewe and District League.
However they will have to try again to record a maiden victory following a 6-3 reverse at Mersey Valley.
Buba Drammeh, substitute Mark Robson and Anasse Ataya scored for the visitors.
Results
Saturday, August 4
North West Counties League
Premier Division: 1874 Northwich 3-6 City of Liverpool (at Winsford United FC); Abbey Hey 2-2 Winsford United; Bootle 0-0 Irlam; Burscough 1-2 Hanley Town; Charnock Richard 2-0 Barnoldswick Town; Congleton Town 1-0 Litherland REMYCA; Padiham 2-5 Runcorn Town; Silsden 1-1 Squires Gate; West Didsbury & Chorlton 3-5 Northwich Victoria; Whitchurch Alport 1-1 Ashton Athletic
First Division South: Barnton 1-0 St Martins; Cammell Laird 3-3 Stone Old Alleynians; Cheadle Heath Nomads 2-0 Stockport Town; Cheadle Town 2-0 Wythenshawe Amateurs; Ellesmere Rangers 1-5 Rylands; FC Oswestry Town 2-0 Sandbach United; Maine Road 1-2 Eccleshall; New Mills 1-4 Vauxhall Motors; Stone Dominoes 1-2 Abbey Hulton United; Wythenshawe Town 1-0 Alsager Town
Cheshire League
Premier Division: Altrincham res 4-0 Congleton Vale (at Egerton FC); Daten 1-2 Egerton; Denton Town 0-1 Greenalls PSO; FC St Helens 3-0 Malpas; Knutsford 1-2 Eagle Sports; Pilkington 2-0 Crewe; Poynton 1-2 Billinge; Whaley Bridge 0-1 Middlewich Town
League One: Blacon 3-3 Orford; Ford Motors 4-1 Moore United; Garswood United 4-0 Golborne Sports; Halebank 1-1 Grappenhall Sports; Mersey Valley 3-2 Lostock Gralam; Windle Labour 0-6 Broadheath Central
League Two: Ashton Town res 0-1 Club AZ; Cuddington 8-0 St Helens Town res; Holmes Chapel 3-7 Maine Road res; Mersey Valley 6-3 Winnington Avenue 1994; Rylands res 4-3 Cheadle Heath Nomads res; Sandbach United res 3-2 Cheadle Town res
Reserves Division: Billinge v Vulcan; Broadheath Central 4-1 Winstanley Warriors; Eagle Sports 1-3 Pilkington; Golborne Sports 0-10 Poynton; Greenalls PSO 1-3 Daten; Middlewich Town 1-1 FC St Helens
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