COACH Steve Cooper marked his last game with the Youth team by guiding them safely through to the Second Qualifying round of this season's FA Youth Cup with a resounding 7-0 victory over a gallant Vics side.

"We did a session with the lads yesterday after we questioned their ruthlessness in front of goal, well they certainly answered that question tonight," said Steve.

It took until the 28th minute for the Reds to force a way through the resolute home defence, but one the opening goal from Declan Walker found the back of the net, then there was only going to be one winner.

Full back Walker crowned a long run out of defence with a low shot that proved too powerful for keeper Edward Stanley and set the Welshmen on their way.

It was all one-way traffic now, with Nick Rushton curling an effort over the crossbar and then moments later getting his head to a cross, but that chance flashed wide of the back post.

The winger was not to be denied on 33 minutes though, when Walker fed a pass through for Mark Head to chase into the penalty box before pulling a pass back to Nick Rushton to finish from about 14-yards out.

At the back, keeper Dan Staples was a safe pair of hands, grabbing a few crosses, pushing away a free kick and then on 35 minutes blocking Matthew Rigby's angled drive after the Vics winger's long run down their left flank.

On 37 minutes, the result was sealed when Nck Rushton grabbed his second of the night, Walker's raking pass down the right was laid off by Obi Anoruo for the winger to dash forward some 20 yards and shot through the advancing keeper's legs.

There was a fourth goal before the break, when Obi Anoruo picked up a poor back pass, knocked the ball wide of the stranded keeper and then slide it home into an empty net, although from a very tight angle on 42 minutes.

After the break there was no respite for the battered Vics as within three minutes of the restart striker Mark Head got on the end of an Anoruo cross from the right to head an effort that bounced up and passed the home goalkeeper.

A sixth goal arrived on 54 minutes, when Mark Head lashed an unstoppable effort from just outside the box that flew into the top corner.

There were a number of substutitions during the final third of the match, which did upset the flow of the game, while several Vics players also went down suffering from cramp.

But there was still one more goal for the travelling fans to enjoy.

With 10 minutes left, Matty Hurdman was up ended on the edge of the home box and when play restarted with a free kick, the midfielder simply stepped up and hammered home the set piece.

"That was probably one of the best selection of goals I have seen for a long time," said Steve.

"We took our chances and put the game to bed early.

"Our aim is to get to the first round proper and that still requires us to win another two away games, but it's already proving to be an invaluable experience for the lads.

"To come to places like Northwich, with good facilities, a nice pitch and the opportunity to play in front of a crowd and under the floodlights, as been something they are really enjoying.

"It's a tough task, but they are rising to the challenge and I hope that we do manage to make it all the way."

The Reds will now face Marine away in two weeks time, with the winners of that tie travelling to either Warrington Town or Nantwich Town for a place in the first round proper.

Northwich: Edward Stanley, Josh Colclough (Antony Nelson 72), Chris Yearsley, Ben Redfern, Tom Dean, Ryan Brown, Josh Sneddon, Lee Guirado, Ross Farran (Josh Mainwaring 72), Craig Humphries, Matthew Rigby.
Subs: Jason Currie, Dean Burgess.

Wrexham: Dan Staples, Declan Walker, Leon Clowes, Josh Marsh, Kai Edwards, Nick Rushton, Rob Pearson (Danny Murphy 75), Matty Hurdman, Jack Jones (Aaron Malton 63), Mark Head, Obi Anoruo (Jordan Kane 67).
Subs: Tom Bainbridge, Jack Daemon.

Referee: M Howe
Attendance: 121
Away: 30

Booked -
Northwich: Yearsley (25, foul), Ben Redfern (80, foul)