Town hit eight at Billnghay

Town controlled proceedings throughout with Michael Harness getting a hat-trick and Danny Bent opening his account for the season with a brace of goals.

Skipper Chris Johnson was again unavailable but Callum Low deputised well in his absence alongside Steve Brown. In truth they were rarely troubled and full-backs Nathan Rawdon and Andrew Shinn spent most of the game in the opposition half. Ollie Johnson and Richard Jackson dominated midfield and it was no surprise when Jacko opened the scoring after ten minutes with a thunderous half volley.

Town were using the ball well as they enjoyed a lot of possession and when Scott Lowman's header from an Andrew Shinn cross came back off the keeper, Michael a Harness was on hand to drive the loose ball into the far corner to double Town's advantage. Ollie Johnson saw his free-kick punched away by the busy Billinghay keeper who then did well to smother an Andrew Shinn effort at the far post. However, there was nothing he could do when Michael Harness received a pass from Scott Lowman before firing the ball over the bewildered keeper.

Michael could have added his third moments later when Ollie Johnson picked him out with a fine cross-field pass but on this occasion his effort was blocked.

Town continued to press and a Richard Jackson cross was headed just inside the far post by Steve Brown. With half-time approaching Town added a deserved fifth when Scott Lowman's far post cross was headed confidently into the roof of the net by Danny Bent.

The second half saw Town still in the ascendancy and with less than ten minutes played Michael Harness drove a shot just inside the far post for his third and Town's sixth goal. He was then replaced by Carl Smith and Steve Lovett came on for Richard Jackson as manager Paul Johnson looked to freshen things up to maintain Town's momentum. Keeper Lewis Burchnall was rarely troubled but he reacted quickly to turn away a header that was creeping in at the near post. The home side deserve credit for battling well throughout with Tony Edwards feeling the weight of some hefty challenges. Tony worked hard throughout and should have been awarded a penalty following a blatant push in the back as he ran on to Ollie Johnson's well judged pass.

However, Town were not to be denied for much longer and when Scott Lowman was fouled, Ollie stepped up to fire a ball across the keeper into the far corner. Danny Bent completed the scoring with ten minutes to go when he gathered a pass from Nathan Rawdon before deceiving the defender and firing the ball just inside the near post.

Town's back four was rarely troubled but they will have been disappointed to concede a goal in the final minute when a well struck shot found the top corner from twenty five yards. Nevertheless, this was a convincing performance from Town and manager Paul Johnson will be relieved to see his team create a glut of chances throughout the ninety minutes.

Next Saturday Town return to action in the Supplementary Cup when they travel to Nettleham where they secured league victory on the opening day of the season. However, the opposition have enjoyed some good results of late so this is likely to be a stern test of Town's credentials.

Town side: Lewis Burchnall, Nathan Rawdon, Andrew Shinn, Steve Brown, Callum Low, Ollie Johnson, Michael Harness (Carl Smith), Richard Jackson (Steve Lovett), Danny Bent, Scott Lowman, Tony Edwards. Unused sub: Dave Marshall