TUNBRIDGE WELLS overwhelmed their struggling hosts Purley Walcountians in dire conditions, pummeling them with eight goals to underline their position at the top of South Premier League Division Two.
An early surging run from Sam George resulting in a Wells penalty corner, which Ben Allberry slotted into the top left-hand corner.
Recent signing Harry Roberts rounded the goalkeeper and finished coolly despite intense pressure from the defence.
Wells dropped their level slightly, allowing Purley to pull back a goal. But Chris Pelmore fired a flick into the bottom corner to restore Wells’ two-goal lead going into half-time.
Wells’ second-half performance was on a higher level, with Kyle Mathieson providing the creativity to break lines and open up the midfield.
Roberts and Allberry combined again and a fine finish from the latter made it 4-1. Ben Brandt then converted at the back post following a good build-up initiated from deep by Simon Hare.
Roberts scored two more goals to complete his hat-trick. Then George stole the ball and counter-attacked the full length of the field with Allberry, allowing the latter to complete his hat-trick too.
A late consolation goal for the home side did not lessen the impact of Wells’ performance and they remain three points clear at the top of the table.
A sterner test awaits as Wells host Blackheath – who dumped a weakened side out of the EH Cup before Christmas – at Kent College on Saturday (January 27, 1.30pm start).
