WINSFORD United signed off for the summer with another notable victory when they beat Cheshire League Knutsford on Tuesday.

Dale Jennings applied a finishing touch following a goalmouth scramble to put Blues in front during the early exchanges before D'Arcy O'Connor's impressive finish from 20 yards doubled their advantage.

Reds halved their arrears, only for Sam Madeley to secure a 3-1 win for the visitors to Manchester Road - their sixth in seven friendlies.

Lee Duckworth has a selection dilemma as a result for their opening North West Counties League fixture at Burscough this weekend.

Steve Wilkes experimented with a back three as Northwich Victoria concluded their preparations for a new season with a 2-1 defeat at home to Buxton.

Vics lined up with Andy Fitzgerald, Michael Wilson and Brandon Barski in defence against higher-ranked opposition and paired Joel Brownhill with Rob Doran in attack.

And those two combined for an opening goal when Doran's centre was met by his strike-partner with a header he steered back in the direction it had came from to beat goalkeeper Grant Shenton.

However the Bucks drew level when Danny Taberner, the hosts' custodian, fumbled Ryan Jennings' cross into the net shortly afterwards.

The visitors then established an interval lead they protected when Callum Chippendale controlled neatly before firing low into the corner.

Taberner produced his best to thwart Buxton direct from a free-kick in the second-half, while at the other end substitute Morgan Crowther went closest to scoring for Northwich when his attempt was smuggled off the line.

Meanwhile Middlewich reserves, under new management this season after Chris Thomas and Pete Hughes left Winsford Saxons to fill a vacancy created by Chris Holbrooks and Liam Blackhurst standing down, were 2-0 victors in their opening warm-up game.

Oli Tobin and Sam Fallows were on target against Winnington Avenue 1994.

Results

Friendlies

Tuesday, July 30

Knutsford 1-3 Winsford United

Northwich Victoria 1-2 Buxton (at Witton Albion FC)

Winnington Avenue 1994 0-2 Middlewich Town reserves