LITTLE OAKLEY 5

BOXTED 0

Essex and Suffolk Border League premier division

OAKLEY produced a below-par performance in their victory against basement side Boxted.

They took a fifth-minute lead when a cross from Trevor Lewis was controlled by Jake Kioussis.

He crossed the ball back in, for Nicky Palmer to powerfully head home.

A rare attack from the visitors nearly led to them being gifted a goal from a stray back-pass from Jake Kioussis.

On the half-hour, Oakley doubled their lead when, from a good flick on by Lewis, Matt Geen was released into space.

Although Burton got a hand to his shot, it was deflected into the path of Rory Harman to score.

Lewis had another chance after a long punt from Glenn Morrison, over the Boxted defence.

With Burton closing Lewis down, the Oakley man failed to lift ball past him Although three goals were added in the second half, slack passing and poor finishing will cause some concern.

Early after the restart, Jake Kioussis skied an effort well over the bar with Geen and Lewis in space.

A third goal was added soon afterwards when Geen picked up a loose ball from Harman and slid the ball past Burton for Mark Palmer to score.

Burton again saved a goal-bound effort from Shaun Kioussis and, minutes later, Kioussis swung in a great cross for Harman to somehow head wide with the goal gaping.

A fourth goal came when Sam Eldridge combined with Palmer.

He found Lewis, whose shot was blocked, but the ball fell to Palmer to score.

Rob Pratt linked up with Nicky Palmer and the ball was squared to Mark Palmer, who struck another effort over the bar.

Burton did produce a fine save to deny Lewis Wood, who latched on to a Kioussis cross on the half-volley.

In injury-time, Eldridge made it five when he worked well, latching on to a cross from Nicky Palmer and saw his first shot blocked but was able to score from the rebound.

Tomorrow, the first team entertain league leaders West Bergholt at the Memorial Ground, while the reserves travel to Gas Rec Reserves.

Both kick-off at 2.30pm.