WARMLEY SAINTS opened a seven-point gap at the top of Division I of the District League with a resounding victory over Stockwood Wanderers.
Paul Cutter and Sam Duggan fired Warmley into a two-goal lead inside 12 minutes and a potent finish from Tom Mitchell extended their advantage.
A corker from Phil Anstee and a drilled effort from Duggan put the leaders out of sight before the break, and Cutter capped off a breathtaking afternoon for the hosts with his second goal of the match in the 55th minute.
Bob Bricker, Ricky Brumpton and Paul Draper were on target in a late Stockwood comeback, but by then the home side were well out of reach.
Saints couldn't have hoped for a better start, taking the lead on 12 minutes. Mathew Gunstone's free-kick was glanced against the crossbar by Adam O'Brien and Cutter smoothly tucked away the rebound.
Duggan doubled Warmley's advantage a minute later, his acrobatic header from Ian Clark's cross finding the top corner of the net.
The one-way traffic continued as Sam Andrews and Gunstone peppered the Stockwood goal with a succession of dangerous crosses.
Without absent captain Rob Tucker, Stockwood looked wobbly in defence and Mitchell made it 3-0 after 31 minutes with a hard drive into the bottom corner.
Tom Hearn almost guided home a floating centre from Brumpton as Stockwood tried to hit back, but three minutes later a mistimed goal-kick from keeper Steve Elliot fell to Anstee, who unleashed a stunning strike from near the halfway line for Warmley's fourth goal.
Stockwood's already slim hopes were dashed by goals either side of half-time. First, Duggan slotted home after a great interchange between Cutter and Mitchell, then Duggan turned provider for Cutter to score number six with a diving header.
Duggan nearly completed a hat-trick with a curling right-footed shot which went just wide.
The visitors kept battling and reduced the deficit in the 71st minute, Bricker turning home Lloyd Minton's looping cross. And three minutes later, Brumpton superbly bent home a set-piece to make it 6-2.
Substitute Paul Draper scored with his first touch from Tucker's assist and Brumpton nearly set up a nervy finish when he steered a spinning shot over the bar.
"We blew our opponents out of the water in the first-half and I'm delighted with the result," said Warmley player-manager Nick Peters.
"We have been superb all season and most certainly have the strength in depth to gain promotion."
Stockwood boss Craig Massey said: "A win was pivotal, but we have missed the chance to close the gap on Warmley.
"We made a spirited comeback at the end and, if we had taken a couple more chances, we could have set up a thrilling finale."
Warmley Saints: Andy Reid, Mathew Gunstone, Sam Duggan, Mathew O'Brien, Ben O'Brien (captain), Sam Andrews, Phil Anstee, Tom Mitchell, Ian Clark, Paul Cutter, Adam O'Brien. Subs: Nick Peters, Joe Webb, Olly Webb.
Stockwood Wanderers: Steve Elliott, Tom Hearn, Lloyd Minton (captain), Andrew Gerson, Joe Smith, Ben Freke, Ian Carlin, Bob Bricker, Ricky Brumpton, Ollie Smith, Danny Grant. Subs: Rob Tucker, Simon Draper, Paul Draper, Ryan Davies.
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