BY the end, Romulus will have been relieved not to have been on the receiving end of a bigger beating.

Witton were superior from start to finish, playing with a relentlessness that their opponents could neither match nor resist.

They may have played only two league matches since the start of last month, but this was a reminder they have the ruthlessness of potential champions.

However their happiness was tempered by the sight of front man Steven Tames leaving the field on a stretcher after injuring his ankle in the closing stages.

So upset did it leave manager Carl Macauley that he asked first-team coach Paul Moore to speak to the press instead after full-time.

“He’s gutted, as you can imagine,” said Moore.

“We feel like we’ve had rotten luck with injuries in recent weeks, and this is another example.”

Romulus have travelled well this term, and only table-topping Shaw Lane had more points on their travels at kick-off.

However the Roms might have been rolled over inside five minutes.

Goalkeeper Rhys Bills tipped over Michael Wilson’s close-range header after Rob Hopley had diverted Brad Bauress’ corner into his path.

The custodian then stuck out a boot to block Karl Noon’s diving attempt from inside the six-yard box.

When Bauress fizzed an effort wide shortly afterwards, it felt inevitable Witton would win at a canter.

Instead a lull followed, and Albion needed a leg-up to break through seven minutes before the break.

Hopley’s touch sent Tom Owens scampering clear, only for a pursuing Jake Donnelly to hack him down.

After referee Daniel Hitchell had shown the full-back a red card, Bauress swept in from the spot.

He repeated the trick, this time after Ricky Hill had floored Matty Devine with an ill-timed lunge, when he placed the ball in the opposite corner to convert a second penalty on 44 minutes.

If Romulus harboured any hope of a recovery, then it disappeared when Yohan Rutty-Smith steered Bauress’ low cross past Bills in the moments after half-time.

Albion were in no mood to show much mercy, though.

Noon was denied again, this time by Bills stretching fully to save with his fingertips, when he let fly from 25 yards.

Bauress curved a cute attempt inches too high, then turned provider from a corner for Hopley to direct a downward header into the net to make it 4-0.

A fifth goal followed quickly when Tames, after side-stepping Romulus captain Mark Branch, steered a smart finish out of Bills’ reach.

In between Bauress, involved in all of Abion’s best attacking moments, blemished a flawless display when he scooped high despite having the freedom of Wincham to pick his spot.

But Witton, able to include Anthony Brown in defence for the first time since mid-October, were left to rue more misfortune after Tames’ name replaced his on the injury list.

Witton | 4-4-2 | Roberts (GK), Lycett (Hickman 72), Brown (Adigun 81), Wilson, Devine, Owens, Haywood, Noon, Bauress, Hopley (Omotola 72), Tames Sub not used Garner (GK) Goals Bauress 38, 44 (both penalties), Rutty-Smith 51 (own goal), Hopley 66, Tames 69 Booked Haywood (foul)

Romulus | 4-4-2 | Bills (GK), Branch, Welsh, Hill (Burke 70), Donnelly, Rowley, Masidi (Walters 70), Farquharson, Gueyes, Rutty-Smith, Waite (Smith 78) Booked Farquharson (dissent) Sent off Donnelly (foul)

Referee Daniel Hitchell

Attendance 214