MALMESBURY Victoria continued their impressive start to life in the Toolstation League First Division after coming out on top against Bishops Lydeard on Saturday.

The victory came despite the home side being down to 10 men following Tim Bond’s dismissal for two bookable offences.

Goals from Shane Bumphrey, George Paeare and two from Jamie Packer sealed the 4-2 win and means that Kevin Bridgeman’s team are now second in the league.

The Vics were 2-1 down before the break when James Quick and Charlie Wilson put the visitors ahead – Quick had sent Bishops Lydeard a goal to the good in the 14th minute before Packer got the hosts back on level terms.

The visitors then regained the lead after Bridgeman’s troops conceded an own goal, leaving them with it all to do in the second period.

But after the break, the Malmesbury manager got the response he wanted when Bumphrey bundled home to put the score at 2-2.

From here onwards, the hosts asserted their dominance, Packer getting his second of the day and fourth in two games to put Malmesbury in the lead for the first time.

This lead was then consolidated after Paeare scored to make it 4-2 to ensure the points stayed at the Flying Monk Ground.

This win is the third on the spin for Malmesbury following a 3-0 victory over Keynsham Town on Tuesday night and a 6-0 triumph over Welton Rovers.

The Vics clearly enjoy their home comforts and their only defeat so far has come on the road when they were beaten 3-1 by Roman Glass St George.

Their next game will again be at home as they play Hengrove Athletic.