Five-star Victoria flying high

Liam Spronson (yellow)

FOUR goals in a barnstorming first 18 minutes saw Oldham Victoria move up to fourth place in Division Three of the Lancashire and Cheshire League.

Vics were unstoppable in that amazing opening period and Heaton Mersey, the visitors to St Matthews High School in Moston, had no answer to the home side’s fire-power.

Vics’ manager Mike Shepherd said: “In the first half it was a good solid performance from us and the job was done in the first 20 minutes or so.

“I was pleased with our performance overall even though we took our foot off the gas in the second half.

“We have moved up the table again and I am pleased with that.”

Ryan Taylor set Vics on their way in the sixth minute when he was on hand at the far post to convert a Wayne O’Connell cross.

It was 2-0 less than three minutes later as the outstanding Paul Arrowsmith drilled the ball home from the angle of the six-yard box.

Taylor’s fiercely-driven cross was turned into the net by a Mersey defender and, with the visitors bewildered by the force and tempo of Vics’ play, Arrowsmith crossed for O’Connell to convert from seven yards out.

Mersey fluffed a great chance to at least pull a goal back when they were awarded a penalty in the 27th minute.

Ashley Rogerson in the Vics’ goal saved the first attempt, but was adjudged to have moved off his line.

However, the second spot-kick was then dragged wide.

It summed up Mersey’s day to a tee.

Shepherd’s side had to wait until three minutes before full time to get their fifth goal.

When Sidd Amara was upended in the Mersey box, Thomas Sweeney showed how it should be done from 12 yards to make it 5-0.

OLDHAM VICTORIA: Rogerson, Sweeney, Shaw, Booth, Hockey, Taylor, O’Connell, Dearden, Sproson, Morris, Arrowsmith. Subs: Lord, Parker, O’Sullivan, Amara.

o Elsewhere in the Lancashire and Cheshire League, AFC Oldham thirds won 4-1 away at Staly Lions’ seconds in Division ‘C’.