THE defending champions of Salisbury and District Premier League were left nursing a 5-1 hammering at home to an impressive Alderbury.

The Wanderers, who had a string of players absent, were not fully prepared for their visitors’ company, who made the most of things early on after bursting into a fiveminute lead at Victoria Park through top scorer Mark Scott.

But Wanderers’ first attack got them back on level terms - Tim Fewins’ good work resulted in Russ Parsons rounding the keeper to equalise.

However, after the halfhour mark, things turned disastrous for Liam McConnell’s Wanderers.

Scott broke clear and chipped the keeper for a second, and then two quickfire goals saw the visitors take a 4- 1 lead into the interval.

Wanderers had a mountain to climb and came out controlling the game in the second half with a huge amount of possession but, with little effect in the final third, a breakaway move finished with Scott securing a hat-trick and Alderbury’s fifth.

Manager McConnell said: “There isn’t much you can say about that performance, it’s great when we perform to the standard we have set ourselves, but we were well below-par and it showed.

“We lacked that typical enthusiasm and creative aspect to our game, things that have become accustomed to our side. However, take nothing away from Alderbury, they took their chances and defended very well, proving worthy winners on the day.”

Saturday’s Premier fixtures: Alderbury V Chalke Valley, CedarsFC V Amesbury Kings Arms FC, Porton Sports V Sarum Youth Seniors, South Newton & Wishford V Stockton & Codford and The Wanderers V Nomansland V Landford.