UPBEAT and focused Barnoldswick Town made light of teeming rain and turned on the style to thrash hapless Alsager at a soaking but gleeful Silentnight Stadium on Saturday.

The nap happy locals shot up into third spot in the Vodkat League Premier Division table thanks to their heroics – and while top spot seems a distance away as they trail New Mills by 13 points on level games, second is in their reach.

United now trail Winsford by 11 points but have a whopping five games in hand – and with 13 matches of their debut season at this level to play anything is possible.

Certainly Barlick are attractive to watch and Alsager simply could not cope with the pass and move philosophy which raised the spirits on a foul afternoon.

Alsager, wearing a Port Vale strip, were never really in the game and after a bright start Barlick that could have resulted in a goal went in front on 13 minutes when Robbie Smith forced his way into the box before squeezing a shot home.

The Staffordshire side almost pulled a goal back with their only serious attack when Callum Westray showed a tremendous touch and a burst of pace to shake off Russell Clarke only to force his shot wide – and that miss was as good as it got for the visitors.

On the stroke of half time Liam Blades swirled a cross over and Liam Garbutt headed home beautifully at the back post.

That was as good as game over and when Smith reacted to stab home the third after Neil Champion’s effort came off the post.

Smith was hunting his hat-trick and was twice denied by fine saves from Tony Latham, who was helpless 11 minutes from time when Barlick co-boss Stewart Airdrie broke clear and kept his nerve to finish well despite pressure from Rob Molloy.

And four minutes from time the rout was completed when Robert Grimes, who had been denied a stonewall penalty moments earlier, finished with aplomb – and celebrated with some less than impressive moves – to give the locals their high five.

They look good and have hit form at the right time. Not bad for a side playing West Lancashire League football 22 months ago.

Seven games unbeaten and the business end of the season coming up.

The Barlick rise has been stunning – and there is no sign of it slowing up just yet.