WESTCLIFF'S hopes of survival suffered a huge blow at the weekend as they were thrashed 52-0 by relegation rivals Stevenage Town.

Before kick off, Stevenage were just one place against Westcliff towards the foot of the table but the visitors never looked like troubling their hosts.

The score against Westcliff mounted as fast as the club’s injury list and the team had no real answer to the powerful Hertfordshire side.

“This is getting like it was a couple of seasons ago when we had to stop running the Lions team because those that were left were all in the first team,” said club press officer Geoff Sawyer.

“We haven’t reached that stage yet but it seems every time one of our blokes is on the ground his opponent gets up and our boy has damaged bones, ligaments or whatever.”

That meant it was a bit of a makeshift side that travelled to Stevenage with backs playing in the forwards — never a good idea.

Stevenage took full advantage and swept the visitors aside.

Westcliff never gave up but they were up against too strong a team to make any real impression.

“There is not a lot we can say; the boys did as best they could but with so many players out it is a real struggle for them,” added Sawyer.

Westcliff stay second from bottom in the standings and have now won just three of their 14 league games so far this season.

On Saturday they travel to seventh-placed Chingford desperately seeking a victory.