IMPROVING their goal difference was the order of the day for Swindon Centurians as they shredded their opposition Wheatie Wanderers 22-1.

The hosts, who sit bottom of Division One, kicked-off with just 10 players and it soon took its toll and despite Centurians ending with nine players due to injury they had too much for the home-side.

Gareth Walton did his goal tally no harm as he notched 10 times, with Allan Hawthorn scoring five.

Chris Hewitson bagged himself a hat-trick to add to strikes from Paul Aust, Chris Birkett, Nick Camden and Gary Donnelly.

Although Centurians’ manager Scott Canniford did not enjoy putting Wheatie Wanderers to the sword, he was pleased to see a big boost in his side’s goal difference as they lifted themselves to fourth in the table.

“What we took from it was the fact that Swindon Spitfires scored 19 against them earlier in the season and when it comes to the end of the season sometimes it comes down to goal difference whether you win the league or come second,” he said.

“The other team worked hard and sometimes it is tough to see the other team come out with nothing when they have worked quite hard.”

Canniford, whose side only joined the league last season, had some words of advice for Saturday’s opposition having experienced a bad start to their league campaign last time out.

“When we went into it last year, having won the Wiltshire Veterans League, our first three matches we lost 8-0, 8-0, and 5-1 and then things really changed from there,” he added. “I think if Wheatie Wanderers did stick with it then they could do the same as what we have done.

“We’re all 40 year olds, we are a very old team and my backline combined is probably 200-years-old.

“Paul Comer is 59 and he plays right-back and even though Walton scored 10 goals Paul is massive because he holds everything together.”

Meanwhile, Swindon Spitfires moved top of the league with a 4-1 success over Sport 4 Pinehurst, with Morris Street level on points after their 2-1 win away to Ramsbury to dislodge them from the summit.

In the Premier Division, Tawny Owl were made to fight to maintain their perfect record as they beat DJC Marlborough 7-4 courtesy of four goals from Jamie Sheppard.

A Blaine Fitzgerald strike was enough for Avtar to see off KS Miltax, while a Shane Dodson brace saw Old Town beat Shield & Dagger 4-2.