PORTLAND TOWN VETERANS 8

HARDY VETERANS 1

PORTLAND Town Veterans ran out comfortable 8-1 winners in the first game of the new Dorset Veterans West Division season.

Town began rapidly as they were awarded a penalty just 30 seconds in.

Kevin Paice, who was bundled over in the box, slotted home the spot-kick for 1-0. Paice added two more for his hat-trick before the half-hour was up.

These were sandwiched by Hardy’s only goal when a long ball caught Town’s back line off guard, Peter Foley finishing for 3-1.

Man-of-the-match Jason Wilkes made it four with a shot from the edge of the box before the same player was upended in the box for a second penalty to Town.

This time the spot-kick was coolly dispatched by Gary Camp for 5-1 at the break.

Substitutes Ben White, Jason Camp, Steve Hicks and Joe Burke were all brought on through a quiet second half for Town until Paice got his fourth of the game which opened the floodgates again.

Town added two more goals courtesy of Elliot Gould and debutant Camp – both with superb efforts.

Post-match, Town boss Andy Barber said: “It was a great result. You can’t complain when you win 8-1 but we will have harder games to do battle in. As long as we are aware of that I’m confident we can do well.”