Robin Hood 5 Flanagan’s Onions 0

Robin Hood stepped up their title bid with a thoroughly convincing victory over Flanagan’s Onions in the Premier Division at Goose Gosling Field on Saturday night.

A superb finish from Antwan Russell on the half-hour mark gave Hood the lead, with the striker twisting and turning his marker before firing beyond Stephen Gould, the Onions goalkeeper.

Despite dominating the first half, Hood were unable to turn their chances into goals, giving hope to relegation-threatened Onions who almost drew level early in the second period when forward Pete Robey blazed over the crossbar.

Hood continued to control possession after the break and got their just rewards when midfielder Marcelos Thomas was given too much space to pick his spot, crashing a 25-yard effort into the top corner.

With Onions looking visibly deflated, Hood continued to turn the screw and increased their advantage moments later in the 70th minute when striker Shakir Smith swept the ball home after good work from winger Lejaun Simmons.

Smith scored his second in the 78th minute with Simmons once again the provider as a tired-looking Onions struggled to contain their opponents who were playing with enjoyment and freedom.

In the 88th minute Nathan Peskett, a former Onions player, then rubbed salt into their wounds, sliding the ball past Gould to complete the rout.

Kyle Lightbourne, the Hood coach, said it was imperative for his side to keep the pressure on league leaders PHC Zebras and fellow title rivals North Village.

“I’m happy with the result although we can play better,” he said.

“We have a big game next weekend against North Village and this result just keeps the pressure on the teams at the top.

“It was important for us not to drop any points tonight and I thought all of our goals were excellent with some good build-up.”

SCORERS

Robin Hood

Russell 29, Thomas 66, Smith 70, 78, Peskett 88

TEAMS

Robin Hood (4-3-3): J Simmons — D Cox, C Fosker, E Outerbridge, Z Burgess — M Thomas (sub: C Ryan, 78min), C Caisey, N Peskett — L Simmons, A Russell (sub: S Burchall, 78min), S Smith. Substitutes not used: S Burchall, L Simmons, C Ryan, J Pereira.

Flanagan’s Onions (4-4-2): S Gould — J Scott, Martel Laws, G Muir, Markez Laws — M Lindsay-Bailey, D Thompson (sub: J Knight, 80min), K Lewis (sub: A Brown, 80), M Aden (sub: C Burns, 46) — M Brewer (sub: R Calvert, 72), P Robey. Substitutes not used: C Berkeley. Booked: Markez Laws.

Referee: A Francis.