Somerset Eagles took flight early and soared to a 3-1 half-time lead en route to a four-goal win over Commercial Division side Exiles at White Hill field.

Leading the goal parade was Terrence Christopher with two, followed by Gladstone Wade, Dion Minors and Everett Wellman with one each. Replying for Exiles was Edwin Ford.

Exiles knew they were in for a tough day as several starters were absent from their roster. However, they managed to stage some early raids on the Eagles' goal to give, temporarily, the impression that they were in the mood for an upset.

However, Eagles burst their bubble when Warren Iris fed a perfect pass to Christopher who wasted no time pounding the ball past Exiles goalkeeper Lyndon Raynor after only 10 minutes.

Christopher's score opened the scoring floodgate when Wade was able to snake his way behind the defence and fire in a low shot that sneaked by the 'keeper at the post in the 22nd minute.

Three minutes later, Eagles scored their third when Oscar Riley outpaced his man into the 18-yard box and sent in a searching cross that found a streaking Minors. Minors found no one covering on the play and calmly deposited his shot into the back of the net.

Exiles, after looking in defensive disarray during the opening half-hour, cashed in on their only scoring opportunity when Dave Marchant floated in a cross from deep on the right flank. His pass found Mark Thorne who back-headed the ball to Ford who scored with a side-footer from in close in the 31st minute.

Exiles began the second half with tighter, more purposeful marking, which paid dividends as the Eagles were unable to exploit them as easily as they did earlier.

Despite Exiles' defensive containment, their offence could not find the right combination to get them back in the match. Their lack of offensive creativity cost them dearly as Eagles re-established their earlier form to score two more in the 84th and 89th minutes respectively.

Eagles notched their fourth goal when Everett Wellman received a ball deep in the Exiles half. After manoeuvring by several defenders, he raced in on goal and squeezed his shot past the advancing Raynor.

The home side scored their final goal when Christopher went in solo on the 'keeper and converted after his initial effort was blocked.

Exiles: L.Raynor, M.Cook, C.Cook, M.Siese, F.Savage, M.Hassan, E.Ford, M.Thorn, H.Hollis (R.Durham, 60 mins), A.Johnson (L.Mills, 66 mins), D.Marchant.

Somerset Eagles: T.Simons, E.Callender, T.Smith, W.Wellman, J.Moniz, T.Christopher, D.Minors, E.Wellman, O.Riley (S.Maybury, 65 mins), W.Iris (S.Burrows, 77 mins), G.Wade.

Referee: Chris Smith.

Men of the match: Terrance Christopher (Somerset Eagles); Mike Cook (Exiles).