Dandy Town 5

Hamilton Parish 1

If the hallmark of true champions is that they rebound in the face of adversity then - based on yesterday's performance - Dandy Town are well and truly on their way to the Premier Division title.

Almost cruelly, the Hornets toyed with their opponents - even allowing Parish to go ahead with the opening goal - before replying with a ruthless blitz that obliterated their rivals at Lord's.

Parish could be forgiven for thinking they were on par with Town as their energetic assaults early in either half summoned the best out of the league leaders to keep the home team at bay.

However, the sobering truth is that class is class - and Town are so far the unbeaten class of this soccer season.

Following a Lorenzo Simmons header in the fifth minute to put Parish ahead, the visitors calmly set about repairing the damage. Their midfield kicked in and soon the chances began coming.

Given his current form, it was hardly any surprise that Khano Smith was the one to deliver the goods - or rather the goal - for Town in the 20th minute. The smooth striker made no mistake with a ball played through to him on the edge of the box, drilling it past Parish ‘keeper Nigel Burgess' right hand.

Eight minutes later, Smith was instrumental in sending his team 2-1 up as he powerfully shook off the defence and powered down the left wing before crossing the ball for Reggie Tucker to finish from point-blank range.

Though Town remained dominant for the rest of the half, Parish came close to getting back on even terms when Simmons almost headed home again, thanks to a long ball from player/coach Khari Sharrieff.

A blistering, half-time lecture from the latter stung Parish from their lethargy and they assumed a much more positive approach in the second half, giving Jason Smith some work in Town's goal.

At the other end, Burgess' nightmarish fortunes plummeted further when he missed a textbook catch; his blunder permitting Carlos Smith to knock in Town's third goal in the 75th minute.

In the 78th minute, Khano Smith got his second and extended the scoresheet to 4-1 in Town's favour, rocking the net from point-black territory after a cross from Carlos on the right wing.

Substitute Lashun Dill ensured Parish sunk further into the Hornets' nest when he produced a brilliant solo run on the left flank in the 83rd minute, side-stepping the oncoming Burgess before smashing the ball into the net.

“This performance was very encouraging because I've often wondered how we would respond if we went down a goal first and we responded very well today.

“The body language remained good after Parish scored so I wasn't overly concerned. I could feel we were going to respond well to the challenge,” said Town's coach Devarr Boyles.

Asked how he was motivating the rampant St. John's Road side to keep focused and not get carried away with their early success, he replied it was a matter of reminding them “to keep the dream alive” - that dream being to win the league championship.

Dandy Town: J.Smith, J.Warren, D.Lawler, R.Swan, M.Lowe, S.Tuzo (L.Dill, 71 mins), C.Smith, K.Smith (K.Butterfield, 86 mins), C.Anderson (T.Douglas, 88 mins), L.Furbert, R.Tucker.

Hamilton Parish: N.Burgess, N.Robinson, E.Signor, J.Dill, J.Marshall, L.Raynor (P.Medeiros, 60 mins), D.Signor, L.Simmons, V.Minors (P.Webb, 74 mins), I.Burgess, K.Sharrieff

Booked: C.Anderson, R.Swan, J.Warren (Dandy Town); K.Sharrieff (Hamilton Parish).

Men of the Match: K.Smith (Dandy Town); E.Signor (Hamilton Parish).

Referee: G.O'Brien