TOWN’s reserves claimed a comfortable 3-0 win over Bournemouth tonight thanks to a destructive first half performance which saw them three up at the break.

It was a dream start for boss David Byrne and his men when triallist Ben Gerring hooked in a Nathan Thompson cross inside the first minute.

And aside from a looping Tom Hill header hitting the top of the crossbar for the visitors two minutes later, Town looked comfortable on a chilly evening in Hungerford.

Experienced midfielders Michael Timlin and Craig Easton controlled possession for large periods of the half, with Matt Ritchie and Alan O’Brien looking threatening on the flanks.

It was the latter who created Town’s next opportunity, when his cross was met powerfully by Billy Bodin, but the youngster’s header cannoned clear off the crossbar with Bournemouth stopper Dan Thomas stranded.

The hosts’ dominance was rewarded with a second goal after 34 minutes, when the impressive Ritchie rolled a corner into Vincent Pericard, and his neat lay-off was drilled home by the onrushing Michael Timlin.

Pericard could have scored himself after beating two men inside the box and drilling a shot narrowly wide, but it was Nathan Thompson who grabbed Town’s third, when he chested down and struck the bouncing ball powerfully into the top corner.

The second half was much less eventful by comparison, with Town in total control against their deflated opponents.

They swept the ball around neatly and while snap shots from Pericard, Timlin and Easton were all they had to show for their efforts in the opening exchanges, Byrne’s side looked like they could shift up a gear at any time.

Timlin squandered a chance to increase the advantage further after 75 minutes, while Pericard saw his header was ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper, after the big striker had met substitute Mark Marshall’s deep cross.

That proved the last meaningful action of a match in which Town were good value for their 3-0 victory, and Danny Wilson will be delighted to have seen the likes of Matt Ritchie, Vincent Pericard and Craig Easton get valuable minutes on the pitch.