HIS side hit 13 goals in four days, but Northwich Victoria boss Adam Lakeland insists they must stay focused and strive to improve each week.

Vics maintained their charge for the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division North title by putting eight past Droylsden to follow up a 5-0 victory over Ossett Town in midweek.

They remain eight points adrift of leaders Warrington, but boast three games in hand with a trip to play-offs chasing Mossley to come on Saturday.

“It feels like we've made good progress this week and it’s important we keep working hard,” said Lakeland, who succeeded Jim Gannon in the dugout last month.

“We targeted a maximum of six points from back-to-back home games, so it’s great we achieved our objective.”

Vics were 4-0 up after 18 minutes at the weekend thanks to a Gary Burnett double and goals for captain Michael Clarke and Brian Summerskill.

And they added four more after the interval, with substitute Josh Amis smashing a 12-minute hat-trick to complete the rout after recent recruit Andy Watson had netted earlier in the half.

Droylsden did reply with goals from Dominic Smith and Brandon Zibaka, but Lakeland was more impressed with his side’s second-half efforts.

“The lads who came off the bench made an impact on the game and I was delighted that Josh got a brilliant hat-trick,” he added.

“We were ruthless in the final 20 minutes, and the emphatic scoreline was thoroughly deserved."

“Droylsden have some good players and the way they try to play will cause teams problems I’m sure."

“The scoreline is significant, but for long periods they competed well.”

Vics, who host Kendal at Wincham Park next Wednesday, opened the scoring eight minutes in when Clarke headed home Summerskill’s corner.

It was soon 2-0 when Burnett latched on to Michael Roddy’s pass before lobbing Bloods goalkeeper Steve James, then Summerskill added another from Richie Bennett’s cross.

Burnett grabbed his second, the hosts’ fourth, on 18 minutes when he finished from close range after James parried a Summerskill free-kick into the striker’s path.

Watson’s glancing header extended the lead after half-time before Smith and Zibaka notched during the visitors’ brief rally.

But Amis’ introduction turned the game back in Vics’ favour, the substitute scoring three times in the final 12 minutes.

Vics | Springthorpe (GK), Byrne, Duxbury, Clarke, Watson, Ball (Ali 73), Summerskill, Roddy, Bennett (Amis 60), Howard, Burnett (Sanogo 67) Subs not used King (GK), Bett

Referee James Madine

Attendance 168