NORTHWICH Victoria lifted the Mid-Cheshire District FA Senior Cup on Thursday after beating Witton Albion in front of the smallest crowd to watch a match between the rivals since 1945.

Just 160 were at Wincham Park to see Vics play in town for the first time in more than three years.

The hosts made 10 changes to the team that started a crucial league encounter at Ashton United 48 hours earlier.

In contrast, Vics boss Jim Gannon kept faith with seven of the men that played from the first minute of a Cheshire FA Senior Cup final defeat the same night.

It paid instant dividend, Stuart Cook putting his side ahead inside three minutes after dribbling around Albion goalkeeper Ryan Swift.

Witton went close to a leveller when Daniel King’s shot was saved at full stretch by Northwich custodian Dane Smith.

A second Vics goal, when Abou Sanogo diverted Michael Roddy’s corner goal-wards, was denied by a defender on the line. 

Albion were similarly thwarted after the interval, this time when Jamie Weeder’s effort was smuggled to safety by Chris Smalley with Smith unable to intervene.

And they fell further behind when Sanogo finished smartly on 51 minutes.

When Michael Clarke, on for Danny Meadowcroft, prodded in a third a quarter of an hour later, the contest was over.

Danny Andrews, Witton’s captain for the evening in a side made up of regulars from Paul Jones’ reserve team, prompted Smith to save with time running out.

But instead Northwich scored next, substitute Josh Amis flicking a header past Swift at the near post after meeting Cook’s cross to make it 4-0, and with it seal a record 16th final victory.

Witton Swift (GK) (O’Carroll GK 86), Garner, Capriotti, Pena, Chrisokhou, Joe Shaw (Perry 46), Andrews, Weeder, Ofori, Coley (Anthony Barnes 72), King Subs not used Cunliffe, Noonan

Vics Smith (GK), Smalley, Grayson, Meadowcroft (Clarke 24), Henry, Krou, Summerskill (Amis 79), Roddy, Cook, Fishwick, Sanogo (Burnett 52) Subs not used Deasy (GK), Ali Goals Cook 3, Sanogo 51, Clarke 65, Amis 86 Booked Sanogo

Referee Sam Mulhall

Attendance 160