Winnington Park 4

Macclesfield 3

WINNINGTON picked up three precious points by beating their relegation rivals Macclesfield on Saturday, although they are still four points adrift at the foot of the table.

Park opened the scoring after five minutes when Alex Edmonstone left his marker behind and crossed the ball into the area from the right wing. Eddie Dutton saw his shot saved by the keeper but Edmonstone picked up the loose ball and rammed it into the corner.

Dennis Topping then saw his excellent flick from a short corner clawed out of the goal by the visiting keeper, before Andy Whitmore made it 2-0 after another short corner, lifting it with the reverse of his stick after receiving the ball from Danny Moores.

Winnington continued to pressurise the Macclesfield midfield, constantly dispossessing them, and soon made it 3-0, Dave Fraser slipping the ball into the goal after Whitmore had squared it to him.

Having been so dominant in the first half, Park began to relax a little too much in the second and Macclesfield got a lucky break when a topped shot skidded directly through to a Macclesfield attacker who knocked it past Simon Hancock from six yards.

Winnington responded within three minutes from a short corner as Geoff Dodd played the ball to Topping, who buried it first time.

Macclesfield weren't ready to lie down though and came close to denying Park as they scored a second then added a third with five minutes to go through Jimmy Leech.

However, Winnington dug in for the remainder of the game and claimed all three points.

Runcorn 2nds 2

Winnington Park 2nds 0

PARK again played below par on Saturday, losing 2-0 to a Runcorn side that they easily despatched 3-0 before Christmas.

Park perhaps underestimated their opposition, trying to dribble though Runcorn's midfield and defence rather than pass the ball round it.

The Winnington defence stood firm until 15 minutes to go, when Runcorn broke the deadlock then added the second five minutes later.

Winnington 3rds lost 8-0 at Bebington 5ths and the 4ths' game was postponed.

l THIS Saturday's fixtures: 1sts away v Bolton; 2nds home v Triton (2.10pm); 3rds home v Deeside Ramblers (3.45pm); 4ths away v West Derby; Beavers away v Holmes Chapel.