A MUCH-depleted Billinge side suffered a heavy defeat at Middlewich Town in the Cheshire League on Saturday.

Due to injuries, illness, Covid issues, holidays and unavailability the club were down to the bare bones and had to postpone their reserve team game to enable them to get an eleven out on the pitch.

As it was the young Billingers succumbed 5-0 on the day but never gave up the fight and it was individual mistakes that did for them on the day.

In fact for much of the game there was nothing between the teams other than the sharpness upfront from The Witches.

Speaking yesterday manager Wayne Wardle was philosophical about the defeat saying; "We knew at the beginning of the season we'd struggle on this day as we had three senior players away but then in the week we find out we have five lads isolating with Covid.

"We were that low on numbers that our 44-year-old goalkeeper coach

"Mark Power was named on the bench and of course our keeper only got injured, but credit to Mark he came on and pulled off a worldie save."

With most of the players back next week The Storks will be looking to bounce back when they entertain Poynton FC, 2pm kick-off.