CARL Macauley has said he takes no satisfaction from seeing Northwich Victoria relegated after losing to a Witton Albion side focused firmly on being promoted.

A 5-0 victory on Monday, during which substitute Will Jones scored twice after goals from Steven Tames, Brad Bauress and Rob Hopley had put their team on a course for victory, condemned their tenants to finishing bottom of the table.

With one game left, Vics cannot now avoid dropping out of the Northern Premier League.

“For me, it was a game to win like any other,” said Macauley.

“I know [Vics boss] Paul Moore will be disappointed, and it’s not a nice feeling when you find yourself in the position that he does.

“We had a job to do, and as a team we did it together.

“Derbies are unpredictable, including this one, and for half an hour or so it was nip and tuck.”

Witton assumed control after scoring twice inside a three-minute spell shortly before the break, when Bauress emphatically converted a penalty after Tames had broken the deadlock with a smart finish.

And when Rob Hopley found the net inside 15 seconds of the restart after the interval, Northwich players visibly wilted.

Macauley said: “Scoring first was important, particularly when it’s close.

“It changes things, more so because it was such a big game for them. If they go behind, they’re then under pressure.

“In truth, I don’t think they could handle our attacking players.

“Look at what’s happened, Tames, Bauress, Hopley and Jones have all scored – that’s what you want to see as a manager.

“It’s hard for any side to contain them in that form.”