LYNEHAM are proving they are up for the battle in Swindon & District League Division One after a thumping 18-0 win over Swindon AFC moved them to the top of the table.

The side, made up mainly of army personnel, took full advantage of Sports 4 Pinehurst not playing on Saturday as they leap-frogged them to the summit.

Lyneham were out of sight by half-time as they went into the break with a six-goal cushion and after Jordan Thompson netted his sixth of the afternoon, he went in goal as Lyneham played without a recognised goalkeeper.

“We expected the victory but we didn’t think it would be as one-sided as it was,” said manager Lee Evangelista.

“It was a bit more competitive in the first half but in the second half, I think they all but gave up.

“They were pushing for a goal and committing quite a few people forward and we were able to pick them off every time they gave the ball away.

“We did take our foot off the gas at 3-0, we took a couple of our stronger players off to give them a rest and give the subs a bit of a run out.

“The lads were brilliant, as were the players on the other side.”

Lyneham are new to the league this term, having previously played in the Reading Football League, now known as Thames Valley Premier League.

However, Evangelista is not surprised by their early form and has set high targets for his side come the end of the season.

“The team were quite an established team in the Reading League but we had to start at the bottom here and I think the expectation at the start of the season was always to get promoted,” he added.

“We put in a good showing against the previous top team, Sports 4 Pinehurst, and they hadn’t dropped any points until they played us so we were chuffed with that result.

“If we are up there fighting come the end of the season, we’ll be happy enough.”

Meanwhile, Old Town United followed up their win over Lyneham the week before with an impressive 10-1 at home to Chiseldon, while Core Construction beat Marlborough Reserves 7-2.

Wroughton Reserves ran out 5-1 winners over New Town All Stars, while Haydon Wick and Lower Stratton were both held to draws at home to Stratton Juniors and Moredon respectively.

In the Premier Division, Bassett Bulldogs reduced the gap to leaders Tawny Owl, who were without a game, with a 3-1 win away to North Swindon WMC.

Dorcan and Swindon Centurians both recorded wins by the same scoreline over Spectrum and Village Inn respectively, while Deers Leap roared to a 7-1 success over Ramsbury.