Northwich Victoria lose 10-0 to Congleton Town, match report

VICS actually started the better with Sam Unwin having a good shot saved well after a short corner in the ninth minute but from thereon in, it all turned pear-shaped.

Though Vics could have reason to feel aggrieved with the first three goals, there is absolutely no excuse for the capitulation for the rest of the match.

Twelve minutes in, a foul and a man down with a head injury was ignored by the ref, Congleton played on and a nice through ball and a good finish to put Town into an early lead.

Things got worse in the 20th minute as a Congleton player handled the ball in the Vics' area during a melee, the ref blew and promptly sent Vics' Anton Smith off for handball and awarded a penalty which was duly converted.

A red card is shown to Vics' Anton Smith (Image: @g.mooresportsnaturephotography)

Six minutes later, another Town handball in the build-up wasn't given by the ref and Congleton slammed the ball home to make it three after just 26 minutes.

Town then made it four in the 31st minute and grabbed a fifth just before half time.

Any hopes of a Vics reaction to a miserable first half were erased in the first 10 minutes as Town scored another two goals, the second of which was a bullet of a strike from Dan Needham.

Vics were ragged now and further goals followed in the 70th and 72nd minutes through Vics mistakes.

Salt was then firmly rubbed into Vics' wounds in the final couple of minutes as Congleton made it double figures.

Well what can one say? A thoroughly miserable night for the Vics. A big reaction required for our next match.

Vics: Reid, Camozzi, Cookson, Keyworth, Hurst, Perry, Smith, Clarke, Lloyd (McWilliams), Unwin (Parker), Fisher (Switters). Subs not used: Pritchard, Lynch