Mersey Valley made the short trip to Stockport to take on Cheadle Heath Nomads Reserves. Valley included eight former Nomads players in their squad and manager Jon Hudson was making his first return since leaving Nomads in the summer of 2023 before he joined Mersey Valley.

Both sides started the game well, a quick pace both sides looking for their first win of the season but it was the visitors with the best chance – Howarth will a great cross, but Downing couldn’t get power on his header, and it was saved by the keeper.

The deadline was broken on 27 minutes; Valley broke down the left-hand side and Mike Woolley fired over a perfect low cross which was bundled home from close range by Joel Riley.

The home side reacted well and equalised on 38 minutes, Valley failed to clear the ball and the Nomads winger fired home from inside the area past Cooke.

Woolley was again enjoying himself on the wing, he beat three players before he was taken down. Riley curled a dangerous free kick which Adams just couldn’t get on the end of.

HT: Cheadle Heath Nomads Reserves 1 Mersey Valley 1

A big half time chat and the visitors started the half on the front foot. Howarth hit the bar with a header and from a Roach long throw Adams was in the right place to fire home after the keeper had saved Riley’s header.

Dignan and Downing combined to send Woolley free down the left who continued his fine form with a brilliant finish to make it 3-1.

Minutes later it was 4 – Riley with a direct free kick that took a slight deflection and found its way into the back of the net.

The game seemed over but the home side rallied, and another piece of sloppy defending allowed the striker to fire past Cooke and make it 4-2.

Valley didn’t stop and when Riley seized on a poor back pass to hit a brilliant lob over the keeper from 30 yards out.

The visitors saw the game out and recorded their first win of the season.

FT: Cheadle Heath Nomads Reserves 2 Mersey Valley 5