Malborough & Hope Cove 4-0 Hookhills Utd

The early stages of the first half was an even affair with Boro playing down the slope but with a gusty wind blowing in their faces. With both defences on top it was becoming increasingly difficult to carve out any real goal scoring chances but finally a through ball from Mark Kingdom saw Gary Burman beat the off-side trap and stab the ball home for the opening goal.

Brian Jones making his debut in goal for Boro was only really troubled by corners which were being swung in with great accuracy but the big frame of centre half Dan Bachelor was proving a tough barrier to clear.

The second half again started very even but on the hour the all important second goal came when Rob Hutchings drilled a low shot passed the keeper.

With the points starting to look safe, Boro relaxed and started producing some lovely football by spreading the ball all over the park. The home side now looked like scoring on every attack and the third goal came from Pedro Szceypinski who had just come on in place of the injured Joby Barraclough.

The best goal of the game was saved for last when James Whitley created space for himself just outside the box and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top left hand corner.

With two out of two and twelve goals scored manager Mike Stone could not have wished for a better start to this league campaign. Marlborough & Hope Cove now take a break from league action and entertain higher league opposition for the next two weeks in the Herald and Intermediate Cups starting with Kingskerswell Reserves at home tomorrow with kick-off 2.30pm.