Bacup Borough 5 Middlewich Athletic 0

North West Counties Division Two

AFTER putting together a much-improved run lately, Middlewich fell back into bad habits on Saturday and suffered a crushing defeat.

Such a hammering seemed unlikely at half-time, when the score was only 1-0.

That goal came from a dubious decision, when Mellish ran on to score despite looking to be offside. As if that wasn't bad enough for the Robins, Terry Cain was booked for his complaining.

The second half saw Athletic going close to equalising, when Griggs beat two defenders only to see his shot saved.

Then Gavin Tier also went close with an effort from outside the box, but this was to be the end of Athletic's attacking prowess.

Paul Moulden, once of Manchester City, Lambert and Mellish went on a goal spree for Bacup.

Within 15 minutes of the restart Bacup were 4-0 up, the goals coming from some dire defending from Middlewich.

The fifth goal was also a comedy of errors. Firstly Walton pulled off a superb save from Mellish only to see his parry hit Tier and deflect to Moulden. His shot was blocked by Cain, then Burgess mis-kicked his clearance and Lambert stabbed the ball home.

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