Caversham played into a strong wind in the first half and settled into its work quickly with pinpoint outswinging crosses delivered regularly into the far post.
In the 11th minute, Jeremy Wild provided an excellent cross from the left flank that floated away from part-time keeper Northern keeper Liam Dungey and directly into the path off midfielder Robbie Deeley who converted the chance to open Caversham's account.
Just five minutes later, Caversham doubled its lead after some smart work by Darren Overton following Northern's inability to clear a short corner. Overton expertly controlled the ball and turned his defender before delivering a delicate left-footed chip to Caversham central defender Tom Schwartz who nodded home Caversham's second.
Northern's defenders generally failed to close down the ball in their defensive third with Caversham having too much time and space to target its players making attacking runs into the penalty area.
In the 23rd minute, Ben Hawkey made it safe for Caversham with a perfectly weighted pass past an outstretched Northern defender for Ant Hancock to latch on to and hit a fine strike past keeper Dungey from 16m out.
Northern's attacking opportunities were too easily cut out by experienced defenders Tim Horner and Schwartz and its front-runners were too eager to try ambitious options when a simpler pass to feet to supporting team-mates might have maintained possession and built pressure for a co-ordinated strike on target.
Another headed goal for Deeley in the 30th minute and a Ben Hawkey strike before the break gave Caversham a 5-0 halftime lead.
The second half was a more even affair with Northern getting men behind the ball and Caversham at times over-hitting passes and crosses as the strong wind claimed possession that was not distributed with precision.
Ant Hancock claimed his second midway through the half, with Northern rewarded for a much better half of football with Jason Burgess claiming its goal with the final kick of the match.
Caversham has two matches left in the season, both against Grants Braes, to collect the three points required to claim the premier league title.
- Wilson James
