Northwich Vics 4 Radcliffe Boro 0

NORTHWICH Victoria returned to the top of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division North with a 4-0 win against Radcliffe.

Goals from Scott Duxbury, a brace from Josh Amis and a ninth goal of the season for Iain Howard sealed three points for Jim Gannon's side.

Vics got off to their now customary start, with fast and powerful running on and off the ball and took the lead on three minutes when Duxbury opened his account.

The pressure continued and on 16 minutes a deft Mike Roddy pass down the left-hand side picked out Howard, who in turn sent a low swerving cross into the six-yard area that only just eluded Jordan Williams.

Two minutes later Amis' firm shot from six yards out was excellently deflected away to safety by Boro full-back Chris Middleton.

Vics' doubled the lead on 23 minutes when Amis collected a fine lofted through-ball from Duxbury before cutting inside centre-back Kev McGrath and finding the corner of the net from 18 yards out.

It took 13 minutes of the second half for Vics to threaten after the break, with Jimmy Ball's rasping shot hit the post on an angle from Amis' cross.

Their third goal duly arrived soon after on 62. Amis completed his brace; steering in Howard's assist on the stretch from short range at the back-post.

It was no surprise when a fourth Vics goal arrived on 66 minutes. A raking ball down the right-hand side by Jimmy Ball picked out the rampaging run of star man Amis, who crossed to the on-rushing Howard.

He took a touch before slipping a clinical left-foot finish underneath Chris Cheetham from 10 yards out.

Vics: Springthorpe (GK), Byrne, Duxbury, Astles, Clarke (C), Ball (Quirk 67) (D), Summerskill, Roddy, Amis (Bennett 70), Howard, Williams (Krou 57).