Whaley Bridge built upon their midweek Derbyshire Cup success with a return to winning ways in the league comfortably beating Greenalls Padgate St Oswalds 3-1 at Horwich Park.

Captain Rob Newton scored a first-half brace before Joe Burgess added a third in the second period to earn the hosts all three points.

There was only one change from Wednesday’s victory over Belper United as Jace Broome returned from illness to replace Jack Grindey in the centre of midfield.

The game followed a similar pattern to that of three days previous with Whaley putting pressure on the visitors in all areas of the pitch and driving forward with purpose.

It wasn’t long before Whaley’s good start was rewarded; GPSO failed to clear from a corner allowing Broome to find space to drive a low cross into the penalty area where Newton lashed the ball into the roof of the net from a couple of yard out.

The visitors looked to respond but were denied when Whelan slid to intervene after a break down the left flank and the ball was eventually hacked clear.

A moment of brilliance from skipper Newton saw Whaley double their advantage before the break.  A marauding surge from the back incorporating the beating of three men culminated in the defender sliding to poke the ball home after a give-and-go with Ray Dwolitka.

Despite boasting a two goal advantage the hosts went into the break feeling aggrieved after being denied a penalty when George Burgess’ shot appeared to strike the hand of a GPSO defender.

The score remained the same until the 75^th minute when Bill Sutton’s corner was headed in by Burgess who found himself unmarked to pick his spot.

Whaley’s hopes of keeping a clean sheet were dashed when a teasing cross from the right was tapped in at the far post after James Tattersall slipped as he came to claim the ball.

A late injury to Dwolitka, who limped off clutching his hamstring, was a sour not on an otherwise sweet afternoon for Whaley who travel to Styal next weekend looking for athird consecutive win in all competitions.

After the game Newton relived his fantastic second goal, 'I think their midfield and everyone watching were surprised when I started dribbling forward which gave me the opportunity to slide the ball through to Ray and I just kept going to get on the end of the cutback', he explained.

‘We're all happy with two good wins in a week and it looks like things are starting to click in to place’, he added.

The reserves advanced to the quarter-finals of the Derbyshire Cup with a 3-1 win against Buxton Town thanks to goals from Hegarty, Jackson and Wildgoose on his return from a long injury lay-off.  The win extends Dan Turner’s side’s unbeaten start to the season.

Team:

Tattersall, Brown, Newton, Whelan, Sutton, J Burgess, G Burgess, Broome, Gregory, Christie (Moss), Dwolitka (Bailey)

Man of the Match: Rob Newton