TYTHERINGTON Rocks are celebrating their first win of the season – and it could not have been more crucial.

The Rocks’ first Hellenic League Division One West victory comes after 16 games and gives them a survival boost in the battle at the bottom.

The 4-2 victory was over basement side Woodstock Town at home and now lifts the Rocks above New College, Swindon, in the table.

Both sides went into the fixture in desperate need of the win with them both sitting on five points.

In the opening ten minutes, it looked very much like two teams who did not want to concede the first goal.

Tytherington, especially, looked nervous at the back.

However, the Rocks grew into the game.

The pressure paid dividends as a long ball from goalkeeper Adam Clark caught Woodstock on the back foot, allowing Callum Francis to play a ball in from the left.

That gave Liam Gale an easy finish to put his side in front.

Woodstock went close via Connor Barrett but his shot was well saved by Adam Clark.

Tytherington began to show more attacking intent as the game progressed and could have quite easily had a few more goals before the half hour mark.

Rocks added a second goal. Tom Watkins made the most of an ill-equipped Woodstock backline to put through Junior Mbika who finished calmly.

Jon Thomas came on for injured Mbika, and scored just before half-time to make it 3-0.

Rocks manager Dan Gillespie would have been delighted with what he had seen in the first half, however, the second half was to be a learning curve in how to secure a much-needed win.

Woodstock looked determined after the break.

Woodstock changed formation to 4-3-3 and Tytherington were struggling to get out of their own half.

Throughout the second half, Rocks’ midfield was unable to keep tabs on the away side’s captain Jamie Fisher.

But Tytherington extended their lead to 4-0 on 74 minutes.

Captain Dan McNally was given too much time on the halfway line, enabling him to play a sublime diagonal ball into the path of Liam Gale.

The striker took the ball beautifully in his path and cut onto his right foot to beat the keeper at the near post. Woodstock, though, showed no signs of giving up the fight.

Striker Patrick Beckford pulled a goal back on 77 minutes.

What appeared to be a consolation goal turned into the start of a late comeback from Woodstock.

Beckford, on 80 minutes, scored again following a ball played in from the right wing.

Despite some late pressure, Tytherington managed to hold on. The first half performance of Dan Gillespie’s side was what really put his side out of reach before half time. Rocks were made to work for every minute of the game.

Tytherington Rocks will look to add another win, away on Boxing Day at Shortwood United Reserves.