GREENALLS Padgate St Oswalds laid down a marker in the Cheshire League Premier Division with a 3-2 win at high fliers Whaley Bridge at the weekend.

Goals from Alex Hardman, Mark Hughes and Ellis Houghton ensured Harrison’s men came back from Derbyshire in celebratory mood.

Phil Harrison's eighth-placed side, seven points behind new leaders Congleton Vale but with games in hand on most teams above them, will be tested again when they host another title chaser, Knutsford, on Saturday.

"It was great to travel up to Whaley Bridge and come away with all three points as no other side is yet to do that this season," said Harrison.

"We really have come on leaps and bounds since the beginning of the season, with only one league defeat in our last outings outings.

"We have made some key signings and the squad is getting bigger, stronger and competition for places is tough."

Conditions were good in the Derbyshire countryside as both sides looked to kickstart their seasons following an eight-week lay off due to adverse weather.

Both sides started brightly in what was always going to be a tight game, with Whaley Bridge set to take over at the top of the league by avoiding defeat.

It was the home side that drew first blood as a vicious corner from Bill Sutton whipped on top of Greenalls keeper Adam Crowther, who was piled on with pressure by several players. The ball fell and was stabbed home after 13 minutes.

The goal spurred life into the Greenalls side who were keeping the ball well and the front three of Gavin Horner, Lee Vaughan and Ellis Houghton were causing problems for the hosts' three-man defensive line.

Horner was the danger man of the first half and neat play down the left flank saw him break free but his 20-yard effort was parried wide by keeper James Tattersall.

The Greens continued to press and a slick one-two with Vaughan saw centre midfielder Hardman break through the defence and casually slot home to level – a nice way to come back from injury after a 14-week lay off.

Whaley could have gone into half time with the lead following a bobbling back pass. The keeper's clearance fell to the oncoming Tom Scorer but Crowther denied the forward a goal with an outstanding save down to his left.

Whaley came out for the second half with a new shape which matched the GPSO formation.

Prescott and Dowsett, outstanding throughout, frustrated the home side's forwards at every opportunity.

However, the Blues did take the lead as Jason Broome's speculative effort took a wicked deflection off Horner and was sent looping over the Greenalls shot stopper.

New signing Josh Kavanagh was introduced on the hour mark and had an immediate impact with pressing runs from full back.

After Kavanagh was brought down high up the pitch, Gaz Johns delivered an excellent free kick met by skipper Mark Hughes whose header flew past the stranded Tattersall.

Greenalls continued to push for a winner.

Vaughan accelerated through the Bridge defence but his effort was well saved, but the decider came in the 85th minute.

Josh Kavanagh's cross was dummied by Hughes and Ellis Houghton was at the back post to slide the ball into the corner of the net with great composure.