Witton Albion 3 1874 Northwich 0, Mid-Cheshire District Senior Cup

Second-half goals from Kyle Sambor (49) and James Hooper (64) proved to put the outcome beyond 1874 Northwich at 3-0, though the visitors hit the post and had a penalty saved before the final whistle sounded.

Witton, whose opener was scored by Isaac Baldwin just before half-time, will have to wait to find out their opponents in the final.

Pictures: Karl Brooks Photography

Northwich Victoria await the winners of the Barnton versus Winsford United quarter-final in the other last-four tie.

It was surprising that the first goal took 44 minutes to arrive.

A glut of chances for both sides came and went before Isaac Baldwin netted his second goal in three days – only his third for the club.

The right-back raced into the box to meet a left-side cross from Kyle Sambor after the striker had aggressively won possession just outside the 1874 penalty area.

Fellow frontman James Hooper, on his home debut, brought acrobatics out of visiting keeper Tony Aghayere in the fourth minute as his free-kick headed for the left top corner.

In quickfire mode, Will Booth volleyed wide, Tom Owens had a low shot well saved by Aghayere and Sambor could only scuff Hooper’s cross-goal delivery wide of the far post.

Pictures: Karl Brooks Photography

Isaac twisted to create space but his effort deflected off a defender for a corner.

Chances then came the way of the North West Counties Premier Division leaders.

Harry Cain was wide as he targeted the far end of the net, and a flowing break from a Stuart Wellstead nod down resulted in Lucas Weir connecting poorly to Cain’s centre from the right.

Keeper Chris Renshaw was alert to save at the feet of Wellstead before opportunities were missed at each end in the space of seconds.

Sambor won, lost and won again possession on the edge of the area but when the ball fell loose to Danny McKenna his shot was straight at Aghayere.

Pictures: Karl Brooks Photography

A rapid counter attack led to Wellstead getting round Renshaw but with the net begging he shot high from a tight angle.

Taylor Kennerley cut in, laid off the ball and got it back again in space but his shot was off target for 1874.

Isaac’s goal just before half-time sent Witton back to the changing rooms in happy mood.

They were even happier four minutes into the new half when, after a scramble, Sambor fired in from close range for 2-0.

Pictures: Karl Brooks Photography

Witton fans could have been forgiven for feeling their team had been in this position before.

Albion led 2-0 at half-time in the Cheshire Senior Cup first-round tie between the sides on October 22 before 1874 got themselves back level and went on to win the penalty shoot-out.

Those thoughts would have been flooding back as 1874 rallied again.

Lee Jackson’s diving header went wide and Renshaw smartly saved from Kennerley as the winger blasted at the near post.

Nerves were settled when Hooper rose unmarked at the far post to head home from a well-flighted free-kick.

Pictures: Karl Brooks Photography

1874 were not going to give up though and a low bobbling shot from the edge of the area by Lucas Weir hit the right-hand post.

And then a Weir free-kick needed prompt reactions from Renshaw as he dived left to parry away the rasping drive.

Tyrone Duffus tripped Cain in the box in the 84th minute but it typified 1874’s night when Renshaw saved Matt Woolley’s effort from the penalty spot.

Pictures: Karl Brooks Photography

Witton: Renshaw, Baldwin, Short, Wardle, Ryan, Duffus, McKenna, Owens, Sambor, Hooper, Booth. Subs: Byrne, Smart, Foley, Neild.

1874: Aghayere, Hind, Tinning, Jackson, Ormrod, Weir, Cain, Woolley, Wellstead, Okome, Kennerley. Subs: Knight, Jackson, McGowan, Duckworth, Woolley.

Attendance: 322