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Winsford Town lived up to their pre-season billing with a stunning performance at Banky Lane to hammer League One new boys Mersey Valley.

With key players missing, it always felt like Mersey had to be at their best to get something from the game, but the home side never got going and never looked anywhere near their end-of-season form.

Three debutants made their Valley bow: Adam Needham and two teenagers, Jacob Lally and Dan Hoyle.

The visitors were on it straight away, a long-range effort testing Phillips. Valley almost got in after great work from Howarth nearly set Downey through, but the keeper was quickly off his line.

The dangerous O’Mara had the first big chance, skipping past Woolley and Downing before a great last-ditch challenge from Adams stopped him.

Youngster Lally looked lively in the midfield, a great ball out to Goldrick, whose cross was blocked behind for the game’s first corner. From it, Adams got a whack in the face and was taken off as a precaution, with Hoyle coming on.

The game felt quite even, but Winsford captain Eaton was winning everything in the midfield, and the visitors looked the more likely, and that was the case as on 24 minutes they took the lead. Phillips made a great save, but Valley failed to clear their lines and Stanton was in the right place to tap home from close range.

This gave them a lift, and despite Adams returning, the home side struggled to get a grip of the pace of the game – O’Mara again getting in and forcing another save from Phillips.

The second arrived on 39 minutes, Downing missed his header and O’Mara seized on the error and punished the home side, finding Wady who applied the finish.

HT: Mersey Valley 0 Winsford Town 2

Valley made a change at half-time, Chaddock replacing the unfortunate Downey, who had very little service in the first half.

It was an encouraging start from Valley. Adams went close, forcing the keeper into a save, and Riley and Chadock both had half-chances.

However, a long ball over the top caught the home side out, Phillips rushing off his line caught the Winsford player, and the referee awarded the penalty, Stanton stepped up and sent the young keeper the wrong way.

You could see the confidence drain from a few Valley players, and the visitors took full advantage. Phillips had to be at his best to deny O’Hara, but more poor defending allowed Wady space and time to smash the ball home to make it 4-0.

It was soon 5-0, man of the match O’Hara got the goal his overall performance deserved as Valley again made it far too easy for the visitors to pass the ball from back to front.

Valley did get a goal back, a long ball from Phillips set Riley clear, who calmly rounded the keeper and finished, but straight from the restart, Winsford went up the other end and made it 6-1, substitute Hughes with the goal.

Winsford looked impressive and also seemed like they had more gears if needed, and are looking like a strong contender for a promotion spot this season.

For the home side, it was a really tough start, but a lot will be learnt ahead of a busy August.

FT: Mersey Valley 1 Winsford Town 6