Stevenage Borough 1 Northwich Vics 0

Nationwide Conference

VICS boss Jimmy Quinn learnt a lot from Monday's defeat at Stevenage, as he saw in his opponents ways he can strengthen his own squad this summer.

Quinn thinks he already has the nucleus of the team he wants for next season in place and isn't planning wholesale changes just yet.

But this loss, coupled with another at Forest Green on Saturday, has left the manager with some serious thinking to do about the physical presence of his team.

"It seems every team we play against, like Stevenage, has big lads and we need to get bigger and stronger players in," said Quinn.

"We've had a good season and been in the top half of the table for most of it but I need to build on it.

"I've got a good idea of the few players that will be told to find other clubs, but that's part and parcel of football, you have to strengthen.

"I've been delighted with the attitude this season but there has been inconsistency in some players."

The symptoms of another problem to plague Quinn's first season in charge flared up on Monday when the suspended Denny Ingram and injured duo Mark Devlin and Mark Barnard couldn't make the trip.

Quinn added: "You can't afford to be without your three best players, and all too often this season we've been disrupted by injuries and people picking up suspensions.

"Stevenage made six changes to their regular side and they still looked strong, you can see why they have done so well in the FA Trophy."

With the final of this competition on their minds, it was clear to see the strength in depth of Borough as their makeshift side hounded Vics out of the game.

Steve Garvey's 16th minute effort, parried out by goalkeeper Paul Wilkerson, was the closest the away side came to breaking the deadlock.

Ironically it was a man that played under Quinn at Reading that scored the only goal, and a breathtaking one it was too.

Martin Williams cut in from the left towards the edge of the box in the 53rd minute and he curled it past Paul Gibson into the top corner.

Barnet are next up in Vics' last game of the season, and fans might not get the chance to see league football at the Drill Field again after Saturday.

The game kicks off at 3pm, but there will be other entertainment throughout the day. See page two for the full story.

Also, children under 14-years-old can get in for only £2 by cutting out the voucher below and presenting it at the concessions turnstile.