AARON Welland hammered home four goals as Sport 4 Pinehurst reclaimed top spot in Division One in an 8-1 drubbing of hosts Stratton Juniors, who started the day second.

The result, coupled with a shock 2-1 loss for previous leaders Lyneham at home to Old Town United, sees Pinehurst climb from third to open a two-point gap at the summit.

Lee Davis, Ryan Welland, Johnny Peachey-Score and Damian Gwanzeni were also on target for Bill Robertson’s side as they bounced back from their first loss of the campaign at Lyneham a fortnight earlier.

“That was nice to see. The lads have been working really hard since that Lyneham game as we know we let ourselves down,” said Robertson.

“We didn’t really expect the Lyneham result and we didn’t really expect to win 8-1 either. We were expecting a tough game between two top-of-the-table sides.

“The first half was very tight and it could have gone either way. We were only 2-1 up but I made a change and luckily, it made a real difference and there was only one team in it in the second half.

“Aaron was at Avtar Construction last season but he is a Pinehurst lad, so wanted to play for his local team. We are a community side so for us, it’s about developing local players.

“I am so pleased for the boys. We haven’t played that brilliant football so far this year but we have set a marker for everyone else. We are on the up again and I defy anyone to catch us.”

Aaron Williams and Stephen Low were the Old Town players to inflict that surprise defeat on Lyneham.

Elsewhere, New Town All Stars romped to a landslide 10-0 triumph over Swindon AFC. James Lewis and Stephen Jackson both got hat-tricks, with further strikes from James Aghabi, Alec Chappel-King, James Bain and Daniel Stevens.

Daryll Chambers’ treble was in vain for Wroughton Reserves as they were held 4-4 at lowly Core Construction. Jamie Pidgeon also netted, with Richie Miles, Todd Mears, Liam Kearns and Ant Jones claiming the Core goals.

Haydon Wick and Chiseldon shared a 2-2 draw, while Moredon bagged a 2-1 success over visitors Marlborough Reserves.

Tawny Owl remain unbeaten at the head of the Premier Division table following an 8-1 thrashing of visitors Swindon Spitfires. Lewis Waldan led the way with a hat-trick, Jack Allan bagged a brace, with Giovanni De Sando, Richard Gee and Daniel Cole also on target.

Craig Hunt and Colin Cochrane both struck twice for Bassett Bulldogs as they took outright second place with a 6-3 success over North Swindon WMC. Alex Orton and Adam Foskett also netted, with Tom Ballard (2) and Jason Hodson replying.

Deers Leap have fallen to third following a 3-3 draw at home to Ramsbury, FC Dorcan won 4-3 at Spectrum, while Village Inn got the better of a 6-5 thriller against Swindon Centurians.