ELTON VALE... 8 PENNINGTON...1: ELTON Vale recorded their biggest win for many a year on Saturday.

Against, admittedly, poor opposition, their first half display was backed up with some quality football and they raced to the turn 7-0 in front.

The first goal, inside five minutes, came from a Lee Dickinson cross that ricocheted off several legs leaving the keeper stranded.

This opened the floodgates and goals came frequently.

Dave Wilkes got on the end of a Loster free-kick to head home and John Armstrong curled a corner directly into the net.

The next two strikes were the best of the bunch.

First was Dickinson's mazy run which took him past four defenders before slotting under the advancing keeper.

The second came from Steve Coffey who started a move on the halfway line, interchanged passes with Hutchinson and Armstrong before putting the ball away with aplomb.

The two front men, Hutchinson and Sensale both got on the scoresheet before the referee brought an end to Penningtons 45 minute nightmare.

Stand-in manager Paddy McSherry used the cushion as an opportunity to give the substitutes a good workout.

But Pennington were allowed to come more into the game and were denied only by an outstanding save from keeper Simon Marsh.

On the half hour the Vale defence were caught sleeping and the visitors captain, Mason got to a through ball first and lobbed the ball over Marsh.

Another goal was always on the cards for Elton, however, and in the final minutes Armstrong repeated his corner trick to complete the rout.

Elton's second string travelled to Ashton Town but returned on the wrong end of a 4-1 defeat with Eric Greenhalgh the lone scorer.

on Saturday Elton are at home to Marsh United of Lancaster in the first round of the Lancashire Shield, kick-off is 3pm.

The reserve team travel to Swinton Town kick-off 2.30pm.