SCOTT McGowan scored four times to help 1874 Northwich halt a losing run in emphatic style.

After three successive defeats in the North West Counties League’s top-flight, it was timely they should run into one of their favourite opponents.

This is an 11th victory in 13 meetings between the teams.

The visitors have improved recently under new manager Dave Powell and threatened to score first when Jack Langford’s close-range effort prompted goalkeeper Tony Aghayere to save smartly on his debut.

1874 gradually assumed control though and at the other end West custodian William Jones was called into action to claim Jack Irlam’s header.

Taylor Kennerley curled a free-kick wide of the target and a diving Lee Jackson headed Michael Koral’s cross into the side-netting.

The home team took the lead on 42 minutes when McGowan dispatched his seventh penalty of the campaign after Kennerley had been tripped by Josh Tinker.

Sam Hare then steered into an open goal to double their advantage after McGowan combined with Kennerley and his clever pass had deceived Jones.

West’s number one redeemed himself when he tipped over Kennerley’s free-kick.

1874 sounded a warning of what was to follow in the second-half when Irlam’s header struck the crossbar and Matt Eckersley cleared Hare’s shot off the line after he had skipped around the goalkeeper.

A third goal arrived for 1874 on the hour when McGowan drilled low through a crowded six-yard box after Danny Meadowcroft had flicked the ball into his path from Kennerley’s cross.

The striker completed his hat-trick with a stunning strike two minutes later, lifting a perfectly-weighted shot over Jones’ head from outside of the penalty area after chasing a bouncing ball.

It was 5-0 on 64 minutes when McGowan slotted a cool finish after the visitors had ceded possession.

And 1874 did not relent; Meadowcroft headed over before Kennerley’s fizzed the ball across the six-yard box without a teammate diverting it into the net.

At the other end, Aghayere was alert to keep out Danny McLaughlin’s drive but succeeded only in directing it towards substitute Divine Shanganya who claimed a consolation.

1874 | Aghayere (GK), Connor, Lee Jackson, Meadowcroft, Mark Jones, Irlam, Koral (Gardner 68), Matthew Woolley, McGowan (Phipps 74), Hare (Waite-Jackson 66), Kennerley Subs not used Lever, Ormrod Goals McGowan 43 (penalty), 60, 62, 64 Hare 44 Booked Lee Jackson, McGowan

West | William Jones (GK), Tinker, Miranda, Sergeant, Eiselt (Rogers 70), Eckersley, McLaughlin, Langford, Kilheeney, Shaw (Shanganya 74), Coombes (Uchegbulam 74) Subs not used Burgess, Butucel Goal Shanganya 76

Referee Blake Antrobus

Attendance 240

Additional reporting by Garry Clarke