BARNOLDSWICK Town kicked off 2024 in the worst possible way, as relegation threatened Cheadle Town thumped the away side 5-0 on Saturday.

The victory has seen the hosts move five points away from NWCFL Premier Division basement side, Skelmersdale United, while Barlick’s playoff dreams are slipping further and further away. They’re now 13 points off the top five.

Cheadle’s first goal on Saturday arrived seven minutes before the interval, Wealth Dasilva firing a fierce strike from just inside the box to outwit Jakovlevs in Barlick’s goal.

Ten minutes after the break Dasilva then turned provider as he was hacked to the ground by a visiting defender in the penalty area.

Jordan Lazenbury stepped up to cooly convert the home side’s second of the contest.

Cheadle made it 3-0 with 68 minutes gone, Matty Bryan, whose initial effort was saved, converting the rebound after being played in by Tom Murray.

Things got worse for Barlick just three minutes later with Bryan scoring his second of the contest; this one being the pick of the bunch after lashing a 20-yard strike into the top corner of Jakovlevs’ goal.

To compile more misery on the visitors, Bryan poked home a wicked delivery to secure a memorable 5-0 victory for Cheadle and his hat-trick.

Barlick will be eager to forget about this result quickly, as they soon return to action when they host Wythenshawe Town tomorrow evening (7:45 pm).