CREWE FC returned to action with a thumping 6-2 win at Neston Nomads in the Cheshire FA Amateur County Cup.

After a Covid-enforced break in the Cheshire League the Cumberland Arena outfit were impressive winners of their first round tie on the Wirral.

Nathan Southern hit a hat-tick while Jason McMullan, Caine Mellor and Jordan Amson were also on target.

Crewe FC's reserve side maintained their 100 per cent start to the campaign with a 5-3 win over Newton-le-Willows reserves at the Cumberland Arena.

Ryan Moss scored twice while Danny Lavalette, Zachary Lundstram and Joe Armstrong were also on the scoresheet as the second string made it three wins from three.

The reserves stand fourth in the early table and host fifth-placed AFC Knowsley Reserves on Saturday (September 11, K.O 2pm) at the Cumberland.

Crewe FC's first team have a local derby clash at Congleton Town Reserves (K.O 2pm).

Meanwhile, in the CREWE AND DISTRICT LEAGUE Champions Sandbach Curshaws started off with a very one-sided affair as they blitzed new boys AFC Crewe by a 25-0 margin.

The Sandbach outfit were unbeaten last season and will take some beating on their opening day showing, although AFC Crewe have started the season with a limited number of players available to them.

Curshaws soon took control and led 8-0 at half-time before cutting loose in the second half with 17 more goals.

Alex Lockett made a significant contribution from the bench with a personal tally of seven.

There was a four-goal tally for Gary Cardno and hat-tricks for Jordan Bickerton, Adam Clayton, Fraser Keena and Lee Mellor, as well as a double for Garry Mantle.

The other games were much closer. Sandbach Town lost out (2-3) in the closing minutes to another new side, Sandbach Town Ramblers.

Rob Hayward and Adam Socha scored for Town, but goals from Tim Lamb (2) and Damien Sloan won it for the Ramblers.

The game between FC Bollington, also making a league debut, and Mary Dendy finished all-square (2-2). A set-piece own goal and a super strike from the edge of the box by Alfie Taylor had Bollington two ahead.

But Michael Gilligan hit back for Dendy with a penalty on the stroke of half-time and Martin Leydon levelled early in the second half.

Meanwhile, the battle between two more league newcomers, Mary Dendy 1982 and Crewe Wanderers, saw the honours shared (1-1) with Adam Wakefield's effort for the hosts cancelled out by an own goal.

While FC Bollington, Mary Dendy 1982, Crewe Wanderers, AFC Crewe and Sandbach Ramblers have all joined the Crewe and District League, Crewe Town reserves and Elworth Park have both left.

Crewe and District League

FC Bollington 2, Mary Dendy 2

Sandbach Town 2, Sandbach Town Ramblers 3

Crewe and District League

Sandbach Town Ramblers v Bollington

Crewe and District FA Challenge Cup 1st round

AFC Alsager Development v Winnington Avenue 4 Reserves

Mary Dendy v Crewe Town