THERE are plenty of opportunities to grab a midweek football fix in mid Cheshire over the coming days, including a pair of FA Cup replays.
The Cheshire League calendar has also thrown up fascinating fixtures.
Why not go and give your local side a cheer?
Here’s our pick of the action:
Tuesday, August 14
FA Cup
Extra Preliminary Round replay (kick-off 7.45pm)
1874 Northwich v Burscough (at Winsford United FC)
The teams played out a 2-2 draw at Victoria Park on Saturday, when goals from Matthew Woolley and Scott McGowan rescued the visitor after they had conceded twice in the opening quarter of an hour.
They will be favourites to progress at the second attempt, although fragile defending in their opening two games of a new season will give the Linnets hope they can cause an upset.
The victors will play Widnes or Northwich Victoria, who also tied at the weekend, at the next stage.
Cheshire League
Premier Division (kick-off 6.30pm)
Knutsford v Middlewich Town
Knutsford, the reigning champions, are in a state of flux after the bulk of last season’s double-winning side – they won the Cheshire FA Amateur Cup too – moved to pastures new.
Jordan Gunter and Jamie Mottershead, their new management team, have seen a young and inexperienced side lose two of their three games to date.
That is in contrast to promoted Middlewich, who are unbeaten in the same period and have seven points on the board.
Jamie Petrie’s last-minute winner against FC St Helens on Saturday means the Witches make a short journey with confidence high.
League One (kick-off 6.30pm)
Lostock Gralam v Styal
The Grey Lambs are finding their feet after a starting with back-to-back defeats against promoted duo Winstanley Warriors and Grappenhall Sports.
They made forward progress during a 2-2 draw at Halebank on Saturday, when brothers Charlie and Robbie Hatton were on target for the visitors.
Losock completed a double over Styal last season, including a 3-1 win at Park Stadium back in May, and they will be optimistic of recording a first victory of the campaign in their next meeting.
Wednesday, August 15
FA Cup
Extra Preliminary Round replay (kick-off 7.45pm)
Northwich Victoria v Widnes (at Witton Albion FC)
Rob Doran’s leveller early in the second-half cancelled out Ben Hodkinson’s second-minute penalty for higher-ranked Widnes at Townfield on Saturday.
Both teams had chances to progress, and another close encounter is likely to follow at Wincham Park.
Widnes will have benefitted from a first competitive outing of the campaign – they don’t open a new Northern Premier League campaign until next weekend – while Vics had played two North West Counties League fixtures before the teams met.
The victors will play 1874 Northwich or Burscough, who also tied at the weekend and replay on Tuesday, at the next stage of the competition.
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