Hardly Athletic were defeated 8-0 in the first game of their cup campaign for this season, but it could have been a lot, lot worse.
Hardly started terribly and were 6-0 down after 9 minutes but rallied and improved effort and stronger tackling saw them concede just twice more in the final twenty one minutes.
Goalkeeper Paul Dale wasn't at blame for any of the eight strikes that went past him, apart from the first where he dived to block a shot but his momentum carried his legs over the line and the ref awarded a penalty that was duly tucked away.
Some sublime finishes and slack marking allowed the score to grow early on and the first Hardly shot didn't srrive until just before half time, but the keeper held Young's effort.
The best chance for Hardly came in the second period when a defenders encrouchment into the area gave the losing side a penalty but Andy McEvoy drilled his shot straight at the keeper and the chance was gone.
Kidsgrove then tucked away two more strikes late on to complete the scoring but at least Hardly kept it respectable.