Woodhouse United took a giant step towards safety in the middle division of the Rochdale Sunday League with a 5-0 away win against lowly FC Players on Tuesday.
Player-manager MarcWalters’ fears about having to field a much-weakened team in midweek proved unfounded.
“We had 15 players and probably our best side all season - it was crazy,” said Walters, whose side host Highfield on Sunday.
Joe Whitham gave the visitors the lead and Walters set up Chris Ford to score with a cross cum shot.
United pulled clear in the second half through Stuart Parnell’s back post tap-in, from an Oliver Wood cross, and goals from substitutes Johnny Sutcliffe and Calum Hallinan.
It wasn’t all one-way traffic. Woodhouse were grateful to Reece Gill for some good saves.
Woodhouse face a busy end to the season. Although they have only a couple of league games left, they are still in three cup competitions.
Meanwhile, Jack’s House are hoping to improve their fortunes away to Rochdale Sacred Heart on Saturday after a 6-0 defeat away to Balderstone seconds last weekend.
Thomas Barnes, who played up front last weekend, admitted there was a danger that House’s season in Division One of the Rochdale Online Alliance could peter out.
They, like this Saturday’s hosts, have an even record entering the campaign’s finishing straight.
Jack’s House have plenty of injuries and Barnes thought his men were probably the better side in the first half at Balderstone, but still trailed 2-0 at the break.
“The third goal after half time killed us and it was disappointing to see a few heads go down.
“We need to start turning it around this weekend.”