LOWER Stratton ran in a magnificent seven goals when the Swindon & District League returned to action after its festive break this weekend.

Alan Spring’s side comfortably swept past their New Town All Stars hosts in this Division One clash, although the home side did at least get themselves on the scoresheet.

Diogo Casiniro got two of Stratton’s goals, including one from the penalty spot, as they led 4-1 at the break, while Rob Clark, Richard Clark, Gavin Kay, Jamie Saunders and Jack Doult were also on target.

Manager Spring said: “It was nice to score a few goals and the lads played some decent football.

“That’s not taking anything away from New Town, when they had corners and free-kicks, they were a dangerous, and at half-time, they weren’t out of it by any means.

“They had also missed a penalty and if they had scored it, it would have cut the lead to two goals so it could have been a real turning point in the game.

“But for us, it really clicked. Our play was really good, our passing was excellent and we took our chances.

“Some weeks it works for you and some weeks it doesn’t but this weekend was one where it really did.”

Elsewhere in the division, Stratton’s haul was bettered by the 8-1 drubbing Core Construction handed out to Moredon, while Old Town United cemented their place at the top of the table with a 4-0 win on the road at Sport 4 Pinehurst.

Wroughton Reserves beat Chiseldon 4-1, while Stratton Juniors claimed a 3-0 success at home to bottom side Swindon AFC.

Lower Stratton sit sixth in the table after the opening fixtures of 2017 but with nine points separating the top seven sides, Spring reckons a pulsating second half of the season is in store.

“It’s the same with any level of football, you hope to win trophies and win the league but there are some very good teams and Division One is going to be very interesting this year,” said Spring.

“Any one of about five teams could win it, I don’t think anyone is going to run away with the title.

“We would definitely love to be in amongst it but although we have played the fewest games, there are some good teams that we haven’t played yet, so there is a long way to go.”

Jack Allen’s hat-trick kept Tawny Owl at the top of the Premier Division table in a 6-1 success at Spectrum. Aaron Northcott had given the hosts the lead but Allen, a brace from Lewis Waldon and Mark Belcher’s strike turned the game around.

There was also a treble for second-placed Bassett Bulldogs as Jason Hudson got all the goals in their 3-0 win at home to Swindon Centurians.

Michael Cox continued the hat-trick theme in Swindon Spitfires’ 4-0 triumph at Ramsbury, with Sam Long getting the other.

The most entertaining game of the day was the 7-3 victory for FC Dorcan at North Swindon. Brendan Shaw and Joe Gentleman got two each for Dorcan, with Jimmy Horwood, Adam Wooley and Jake Kitchin also on target.

Finally, Village Inn shared a 1-1 draw with visiting Deers Leap.