MIDDLEWICH Town crashed out of the Cheshire FA Amateur Cup following a penalty shoot-out defeat for a second successive season.

They could not be separated from Newton Athletic inside 90 minutes at Seddon Street, where both teams failed to score.

Skipper Jamie Petrie’s spot-kick was then saved to send the Chester and Wirral League side through to the last 16.

Ryan Nicoll scored a decisive goal for Ellesmere Port Town in their meeting with Lostock Gralam, inflicting a first defeat on the Grey Lambs since early August – a sequence of 10 matches in all competitions.

Meanwhile Crewe proved too strong for visiting Winsford side Over 3 Grange, captain Nathan Southern bagging a brace for the Cheshire League Premier Division outfit in a comfortable 3-0 win.

Winnington Avenue 1994 delivered an improved performance during a 1-1 draw with Cheadle Heath Nomads reserves in Cheshire League Two.

Steve Hamill scored their goal at Park Stadium, where the home team dominated.

“The lads have responded perfectly to what we’ve been working on during training,” reflected manager Lewis Wood.

Cuddington’s draw with Cheadle Town’s second string was overshadowed by a serious knee injury for Nathan Cawley during the first-half.

The visitors took the lead after captain Nathan Harwood converted from the penalty spot after Callum Payne had been fouled.

However Cheadle levelled quickly when a wind-assisted kick from their goalkeeper became an assist for Luke Cotton to restore parity.

Meanwhile improving Middlewich reserves ran out 2-1 victors at Vulcan thanks to goals from Keelan Darlington and substitute James Thompson.

Performance of the week

Middlewich Town reserves

The Witches, victors now in six successive matches in all competitions, became the first visiting team to win a Cheshire League fixture at Vulcan reserves this season.

A 2-1 win propels them up to seventh in the Reserves Division table.

Player of the week

Danny Hancock (Cuddington)

Asked to cover for absences by switching to a central midfield role from his usual position at full-back.

He did so impressively too, and was picked out by manager Gareth Harwood as the visitors’ best performer in a 1-1 draw.

It was a good week for…

Winnington Avenue 1994

The tenants are making themselves hard to beat at their temporary home in Lostock Gralam, and that is an encouraging sign as they continue to adjust to life at a higher level on their debut season in Cheshire League Two.

Stat of the week

A 1-0 defeat at Ellesmere Port Town in the Cheshire FA Amateur Cup marked the first time this season that Lostock Gralam have been shut out by an opponent.

It was their 13th competitive fixture.

Quote of the week

“There have been too many inconsistent performances lately, in large part because unavailability of players has stopped us from naming a settled side.

“Things have to change if we want to enjoy success this season.”

Ross Speight, Co-manager, Middlewich Town