NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL: Star striker Smith to the ‘four’ as Eynesbury excel in United Counties League romp

Top-scorer Craig Smith starred as Eynesbury Rovers equalled their biggest win of the United Counties League Premier Division season yesterday.

Smith helped himself to half of the goals as second-placed Rovers thumped Oadby Town 8-0 at Hall Road to avenge a defeat in the reverse fixture a month earlier.

Smith hit a 10-minute hat-trick inside the opening quarter-of-an-hour before Allan Owen added a fourth Eynesbury goal eight minutes before the break.

And there was no let-up in the second period as Smith converted a penalty before Owen bagged his second goal. Tom Coles then helped himself to a quickfire brace with two goals in the space of three minutes.

The emphatic victory allowed Eynesbury to cut the gap between themselves and leaders Peterborough Sports, who were held to a surprise goalless draw by Rothwell Corinthians, to six points.

Huntingdon Town are now seven points adrift at the foot of the Premier Division following a 5-3 defeat at Wellingborough yesterday.

Boss Bob Warby branded his side’s first-half performance as the worst of his time in charge as they fell three goals adrift.

But Town were much improved after the break when Giuliano Staffieri, James Seymour and the back-again Gui Mailancol all found the net, while Goran Smilkov saw a strong penalty appeal ignored.

Godmanchester Rovers returned to winning ways in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division yesterday.

Arran Mackay and Chris Jones struck in the final quarter of an hour to earn a 2-0 success at struggling Long Melford for Chris Hyem’s men.