RIDGEONS LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION Soham Town Rangers 8 Harwich and Parkeston 1 SOHAM produced a second half seven-goal super show to blow away Harwich and make it eight games undefeated in the league. Steve Bugg hit a hat-trick as Ian Benjamin s side put o

RIDGEONS LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

Soham Town Rangers 8 Harwich and Parkeston 1

SOHAM produced a second half seven-goal super show to blow away Harwich and make it eight games undefeated in the league.

Steve Bugg hit a hat-trick as Ian Benjamin's side put on a footballing feast to remove any cobwebs left over from the New Year's Eve revelry.

Bugg opened the scoring after 22 minutes, guiding home a fine free kick from outside the area.

A lapse in defence allowed Harwich to equalise before half-time, but Soham got back on track five minutes after the break, when Bugg slotted home Aron Rutter's cross.

The striker completed his hat-trick after 54 minutes, latching on to Michael Simpson's through-ball.

And Matt Robinson made it four two minutes later with a superb individual goal, scoring left-footed from long range.

Andy Furnell converted a penalty to make it five after 68 minutes, and Simpson got in on the act after 74 minutes, making no mistake from close range following a goalmouth scramble.

Two substitutes were rewarded for their efforts to round off the scoring. Simon Flanz's individual effort nine minutes from time was as good as any goal scored on the day, while Tom Benjamin converted another assist from Rutter to make it eight with a minute to go.

"I told the lads that we needed to play more as a team, and we did that in the second half and won comfortably," said Ian Benjamin.

"Harwich are not a bad side - plenty of teams have gone there and struggled - so it was a good result."

Benjamin has now set his sights on a top-six finish as his team look to build on their fine run of league form.

"It's not out of the question," said Benjamin. "The lads have just got to keep performing."

Paul Hill will be unavailable for tomorrow night's game against Histon Reserves through suspension, but Robinson and Scott Johnson will both play.

Robinson has a suspension coming after picking up a booking on Monday, while Johnson also faces a ban after being sent off in the 1-1 draw against Wisbech on Boxing Day.

Johnson was dismissed along with Hill in a bad-tempered affair, which saw Hill equalise in the 61st minute, after the Fenmen had gone ahead shortly after the break.