The game demonstrated how big a gap exists between the top and lower-placed sides in the SPL, and possibly justified the top six split which will be played from now on.
The top six that will play another round are: Caversham, Roslyn-Wakari, Technical, Mosgiel, Queenstown and Green Island.
Two top teams will then emerge to play off against Mainland's top two sides for the South Island Championship.
Other SPL sides will play in the bottom four, then all are in an eight-team knock-out competition.
No doubt coach Steve Brook's plan was to provide stubborn early resistance against Technical, but the ramparts were breached early as Ross Mackenzie drilled home a rebound off Northern's crossbar, then a quick break up the right switched play for Tristan Prattley to make it 2-0 after 18min.
Northern worked hard, tackled industriously and made the odd break and shot at goal, but had a one-dimensional approach compared with Technical's sustained probing attacks. After Richard Smith scored a trademark header, hanging at the top of his jump before nodding past keeper Isaac Malpass, and Mackenzie drilled in a narrow angled shot, the result was a foregone conclusion.
Technical coach Mike Fridge withdrew key players Andy Coburn and Blair Scoullar with an eye to keeping them fresh, also ensuring they did not add to their tally of yellow cards accrued this season, which could mean suspension in later, more important games.
The elusive Mackenzie stayed on, however, rarely wasting a ball.
He created space with some turns and feints that sent half the Northern side chasing shadows.
Just before half-time, Northern's industry at last paid off when Jason Anson laced a strong 30m shot that beat keeper Nick Tarrant at the base of his upright, and a thin cheer rang out from the huddled Northern support.
Fridge continued to ring the changes, giving all his squad a run in the second half, and a couple of well-struck shots by Mike Cunningham and Aaron Burgess completed the 7-1 scoreline.
Brook praised the physical effort his players generated despite a mini flu epidemic which robbed his side of some energy.
Fridge was pleased with Technical's first-half performance.
"They played controlled football in difficult conditions to subdue Northern, and it was good for the whole squad to get some matchplay under their belts."
