STEVE Wilkes said careful planning had paid off after Northwich Victoria progressed to the FA Vase first round on Sunday.

His side saw off Maltby Main, from the Northern Counties East League, thanks to second-half goals from Billy Whittle and Brian Matthews.

“Everybody contributed to a brilliant team performance,” said the Vics boss.

“Our first-team coach, Scott Campbell, and goalkeeper coach Rob Sadler went twice to watch them and they were able to give the lads a detailed rundown.

“We set out to nullify how they play – which is very direct – and the players stuck to what we’d asked of them superbly.”

The home team created chances in the opening quarter of an hour and Joel Brownhill volleyed over from Joe Camozzi’s deep cross.

Rob Doran then ought to have done better after Matthews’ header sent him clear but he sent a tame effort into the hands of goalkeeper Callum Fielding.

Brownhill headed wide after John Connolly’s cross picked him out before the visitors managed an attack or two of their own.

Vics number one Danny Taberner produced his best, diverting to safety with his fingertips a shot from Josh Nodder that took a deflection off Camozzi’s heel.

Brownhill went close again before the break, firing wide after Fielding had parried Doran’s effort into his path.

A breakthrough arrived shortly after the restart when Whittle fired high into the net after latching on to Connolly’s assist.

The visitors did respond though, and Ross Duggan’s shot skimmed wide from an angle.

Vics then cursed their luck when Connolly’s drive struck an upright with Fielding beaten.

Taberner then gathered a snapshot from Jed McGowan at the second attempt before the hosts put the game out of their guests’ reach on 72 minutes.

Matthews was in the right place, applying a finishing touch from close-range after Brandon Barski hooked Whittle’s corner towards the target.

A final raid from Maltby ended with Taberner saving low from Nodder.

Vics | Taberner (GK), Camozzi, Shinks, Barski, Monson, Cooke, Whittle (Lawrence 90), Connolly, Brownhill, Matthews (Pilgrim 86), Doran (Craig 76) Subs not used Clarke, Scott (GK) Goals Whittle 48, Matthews 72

Maltby | Fielding (GK), Morton, Austin, Darker, Eades, Hill, McGowan, Walton (Forster 60), Duggan (Carroll 83), Frost (Hopewell 46), Nodder Sub not used Dixon

Referee Liam Ockleshaw

Attendance 124

Additional reporting by Jamie Dewsbury