Newly-promoted Hereford FC and Swindon
Supermarine both made it three wins from their opening three matches in
the EVO-STIK League Southern's Division One South & West on
Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.
Another terrific crowd of 2,588 at Edgar Street enjoyed the Bulls hitting Bridgwater Town for six!It was 3-0 at the break, thanks to Mike Symons after seven minutes and a John Mills brace in the 32nd and 38th minutes.
Symons added his second and the hosts` fourth five minutes after the break with Mills completing his hat-trick just past the hour-mark and Jamie Cuss coming off the bench to head the sixth after 74 minutes.
Connor Waldon`s good goal-scoring start to 2016-17 campaign continued as he bagged a brace for 'Marine at home to newly-promoted Barnstaple Town, for whom this was a first defeat.
Waldon gave the home side a 17th minute lead that James Blake cancelled out three minutes later. Waldon made it 2-1 just after the break but `Marine lost sub John Parsons to a straight red card.
Despite the blow, Brad Hooper extended the hosts` lead from the penalty spot 20 minutes from time. Town keeper Steve Oliver saw red for that and Callum Parsons made it 4-2 in the last four minutes.
At the opposite end of the table, Wantage Town are the only side yet to record a point after becoming relegated Bideford`s first victims of 2016-17.
Matt Andrew gave the Devonians the lead five minutes before the break – but they could have been behind by then as Paul Hider had saved Mark Francis` penalty.
Andrew doubled the home side`s lead just two minutes later and, after Byron Thorpe pulled one back for the visitors five minutes from time, Kevin Squire made it 4-2 in the 88th minute.
Shortwood United, relegated Paulton Rovers, fancied Taunton Town, Slimbridge and Mangotsfield United all doubled their win count for the new season on Saturday.
Shortwood sealed a 2-0 win at Larkhall Athletic with goals from Liam Meredith after 15 minutes and Steve Davies 19 minutes from time.
Paulton won by the same scoreline at home against win-less Didcot Town, courtesy of an early second minute Jordan Ricketts penalty and a 16th minute Nathan Legge drive from 25 yards.
The Peacocks condemned Steve Claridge`s Salisbury FC outfit to a second defeat since their promotion from the Wessex Football League.
Matt Wright gave Taunton a 31st minute lead in front of 393 at Wordsworth Drive. Tommy Wright equalised 11 minutes after the break but Adam Kelly restored the Peacocks` lead in the 68th minute. Craig Veal made sure with a stoppage time third.
Slimbridge were 2-1 winners at a yet-to-win Yate Town, coming from being a 58th minute Kye Mountford goal down to win, thanks to Ed Major and Liam Meredith.
Mangotsfield inflicted a second defeat on new Winchester City boss Ian Saunders on his own patch.
City, who had beaten Salisbury in midweek, fell to goals either side of half-time from Lewis Powell from the spot and Tom Warren.
Evesham United and AFC Totton both achieved their first wins of 2016-17.
United inflicted a first defeat on Wimborne Town at home, thanks to Lance Smith after 53 minutes and Adam Mann nine minutes from time.
The Stags did likewise to North Leigh away from home, surviving a late comeback after leading through a Dave Allen spot-kick after eight minutes.
Pat Wilson on 50 minutes and Allen again 12 minutes from time, then scored before Callum McNish and Roger James pulled two back in the last couple of minutes to make it a nervy finale.
Bishops Cleeve and Tiverton Town shared a 1-1 draw in the day`s other game at Kayte Lane.
Cleeve took an early fourth minute lead thanks to a fine free-kick from Jack Horrell before Tivvy eventually pulled level when Levi Landricombe converted a 71st minute spot-kick.