Mersey Valley continued their fine run of form with a 4-1 victory over Halton Farnworth Hornets at Banky Lane, but they were made to work hard for the three points.

Manager Jon Hudson made just one change to the side that beat Sandbach United – with Jordan Downing unavailable, Niall Goldrick returned to the starting line-up.

GOAL! Captain Joel Riley celebrates his opening goal

Mersey started well and took the lead on 5 minutes. Mike Woolley with a good run found Riley who coolly and calmly passed the ball into the bottom corner to give the home a perfect start.

Deering was looking dangerous on the left, cutting inside, putting the full-back on the floor, but the ball was cleared. From a Goldrick free kick, the keeper spilt the ball. Roach looked to tap home, but the keeper recovered to make a smart block.

Cooke had to be alert and make a good save after a bouncing ball got in behind the Mersey Valley defence.

Woolley was continuing his fine form, first a great cross curled into the area found Adams who hit the post with a header and then found Deering in space who curled the ball past the post.

An error at the back almost gave the visitors an equaliser, but Cooke was on hand to block the shot.

HT: Mersey Valley 1 Halton Farnworth Hornets 0

So far this season Valley have been brilliant after the break but today it was the visitors that responded well, Cooke was again in top form as he made two excellent saves.

The pressure paid, Dignan with a clumsy challenge in the area and the referee awarded the penalty – Cooke was sent the wrong way and the game was level with the visitors on top.

GOAL! Adams dives in to head home

The reaction from the home side was excellent, from a Riley corner the keeper failed to block the ball and Adams dived into the feet to head the ball home, taking a whack in the nose for his bravery.

Halton also reacted well, Byrne with a looping header that clipped the top of the bar. They continued to press but Greenwood and Roach stood firm and Valley looked to kill the game.

A huge part of Mersey Valley’s success this season has been their fitness levels, and this proved once again to be the case. Brilliant work from Adams created the opening Deering had been waiting for, and he smashed the ball home.

GOAL! Dylan Fraine makes it 4-1

Then deep in stoppage time, Deering was the creator as he set up Fraine to make it 4-1 and another big three points.

FT: Mersey Valley 4 Halton Farnworth Hornets 1