NORTHWICH Victoria were rewarded for swift start on Sunday and Hanley Town couldn’t catch up.

Steve Wilkes’ side have now won back-to-back matches for the first time this season in the North West Counties League after beating Abbey Hey by the same score in midweek.

They assumed control after Brian Matthews steered forcefully into the far corner in the sixth minute after Rob Doran, sent sprawling by defender Andy Nicholls, moved the ball his way.

Joel Brownhill then sent a header narrowly over from John Connolly’s curling cross.

However the front man didn’t have to wait long for another chance, converting emphatically from the penalty spot after Ollie Mellor had shoved Doran to the floor.

Able to play with freedom with a two-goal lead, Joe Camozzi prompted goalkeeper Joe Mellor to block with a foot following a slick build-up that involved Brad Cooke and Billy Whittle before Connolly’s back-heel conjured an opening.

Hanley were relieved not to fall further behind shortly before the break too when Matthews’ shot rattled an upright.

The visitors improved after the interval, and Jon Sheldon’s volley was saved low by custodian Danny Taberner.

Captain Martin Stanyer was fortunate to escape a more serious censure though following his foul on Connolly, referee Carl Rooney showing mercy by opting to caution him.

Mellor pushed Brandon Barski’s header to safety after the defender met Billy Whittle’s centre before Hanley replacement Jacob Vernon tried his luck from distance.

Taberner wasn’t troubled though.

Instead Vics made sure of maximum points when substitute attacker Billy Webb notched his first goal since a summer transfer from Widnes helped by a slight deflection.

There was time for Hanley to net a consolation too when Tom Ashton found the net after the home team’s defence failed to clear effectively.

Vics | Taberner (GK), Camozzi, (McDonald 89), Monson, Shinks, Barski, Whittle, Cooke, Connolly, Doran (Webb 80), Matthews (Clarke 87), Brownhill Subs not used Lawrence, Scott (GK) Goals Matthews 6, Brownhill 17 (penalty), Webb 83 Booked Camozzi, Shinks, Doran

Hanley | Joe Mellor (GK), Blowers, Connor, Bristow, Ollie Mellor, Nicholls (Vernon 72), Stanyer, Ashton, Leigh Skellern (Lindop 80), Ball (Erdmann 54), Sheldon Sub not used Skellern Goal Ashton 86 Booked Stanyer, Ball

Referee Carl Rooney

Attendance 152

Additional reporting by Jamie Dewsbury