MIDDLEWICH Town's unique championship double is just the start of the good times.

The first and second teams celebrated together on Wednesday, though tonight they are rivals in the Mid Cheshire FA Amateur Cup final at Wincham Park (7.30pm).

Middlewich had actually won the Mid Cheshire League for the first time in 29 years before they hosted Bollington on Wednesday. They were unassailable after Poynton and Barnton drew the previous evening and turned on the style in a 4-1 demolition of Bollington.

The second team won the Reserves Division with a 5-1 success at Barnton - and both sides were presented with their trophies later that night at Seddon Street.

Manager Terry Murphy showed the single-mindedness needed for success when he said: 'I am thinking about defending the title already.

'I have already spoken to a couple of players, because we do need to strengthen one or two positions.'

Middlewich passed up the chance of applying for the North West Counties League this season - when they would have had an excellent chance of being elected under the non-league restructuring - but re-main ambitious.

They now have to win the championship and will contest membership with the winners of three other leagues.

Murphy said: 'I know we could have got in this year without a problem, but when we do, everything has to be right. It needs costing out carefully, it has to be affordable and sustainable because if we go up, I want to be able to take a team through North West Two into the First.

'Maybe Middlewich is a big enough town to go for the UniBond First Division.

'What has happened to us this season has been brilliant. This is an exciting time for the club.

'But there is no point in sitting back and just enjoying it. We have got to be planning now to win it again.'

One aspect of Middlewich's success is the relationship between Murphy and Reserves boss Steve Moore.

'The set-up at Middlewich is good and Terry and I work well together. He makes a point of watching us when he can and I know if I have any problems, he is only a phone call away,' said Moore.

Which does not mean there will be anything matey about tonight's clash.

The sides met in last year's final when it was the first time a club has provided both teams.

The Reserves were 2-0 ahead at half-time before going down 4-2, and Murphy said: 'They have some good players and I am playing my full-strength side. It should be a question of attitude on our part.'

Moore added: 'We know each other too well to plan tactics. We took them by surprise last year and could do so again.'

The final will be played to a conclusion, with extra time and penalties if necessary. AFTER persevering at the bottom of the Mid Cheshire League Second Division all season, Winsford United Reserves collapsed under the strain and folded last week.

Run by United vice-chairman Ray Fitzsimmons, the Reserves had fulfilled their fixtures despite losing, often heavily, virtually every game.

But they could not raise a side for two consecutive games and had no choice but to resign, their record being expunged.

Winsford would seem to be a big enough town to accommodate a good quality amateur Saturday team, but the other such outfit - Crewe Leaguers Winsford IPC - also folded towards the end of the season.

Fitzsimmons is also chairman of the successful Over Three junior club.

Blues chairman Mark Loveless said: 'We will be discussing the issue as soon as possible.'

United remind fans of the open meeting on Wednesday next week (7.30pm). Volunteers and ideas are needed to raise funds for next season.