Northwich Victoria 2 Sheffield FC 5

VICS manager Adam Lakeland slammed his side’s defending during their heavy defeat to Sheffield FC on Saturday, saying he had “seen better from pub players”

Four goals from Connor Hall helped the Yorkshiremen to victory and ensured Vics would not move from 14th in the Evo-Stik First Division South.

Adam Johnson was also on the scoresheet for the visitors, while strikes from Yaw Gyimah and Matt Regan proved immaterial for Lakeland’s men.

“To get beaten so easily is something I didn’t anticipate and I’m bitterly disappointed,” Lakeland said.”

“The goals which we conceded were incredibly poor and to be frank I’ve seen better defending from pub players.

“I spoke to the players about Connor Hall before the match and warned them he was scoring goals which was why they are picking up results at the moment.

“I got stuck into the lads at half time and expected a reaction when we came out but once again we conceded after a couple of minutes and that completely knocked the stuffing out of us.”

Vics fell behind early when Hall fired low into the net after just two minutes but the hosts were quickly level when Jamie Hinchcliffe’s driven cross found Gyimah, who applied the faintest of touches to divert it home.

With half-time approaching, Vics had been in control of the game but fell behind when Hall headed in from close range.

Hall completed his hat-trick just after the break as he tapped home when home stopper Dylan Forth spilled a shot into his path.

Vics got back into the game when Gyimah was upended in the box, with Regan making no mistake from the spot.

The hosts piled on the pressure, but Hall added a penalty of his own to kill their optimism before Johnson fired home after racing clear to seal Sheffield’s win.

Vics face Barnton in the Mid-Cheshire FA District Cup semi-final tonight, Wednesday, at Wincham Park, kick off 7.45pm.

Vics: Forth (GK), Nolan, Fitzgerald, Regan, Pritchard, Brewster, Mudimu, Lakeland, Abadaki, Gyimah (Johnson 68), Hinchliffe (Clarke 62). Subs not used: Hill (GK), Olopade, Coffey.