LOWESTOFT TOWN 6 HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS 0

Heavy morning rain gave way to bright wintry sunshine for this Pitching In Isthmian League North Division top of the table clash at the Fosters Solicitors Community Stadium.

As well as to keep their own top two place Lowestoft were also looking to avenge their play off defeat at the end of last season - but few expected the game to be as one-sided as it turned out.

Lowestoft went for the jugular from the start and were 2-0 up inside five minutes.

With just three minutes played Thomas Wray could not hold Harvey Sayer's cross and the predatory Jake Reed was on hand to turn the ball into the net for the opening goal.

Two minutes later Lowestoft doubled their lead.

Robert Eagle fed Adam Hipperson down the left and his low cross saw Kyle Haylock racing in at the near post to turn home.

An injury to Travis Cole saw Lowestoft come off the boil as they adjusted to Sam Johnson taking his place in the centre of defence.

A rare Heybridge threat saw Ben Sartain set up a chance for Jack Adington-Pile but the substitute stabbed wide from close range.

Heybridge looked more aggressive at the start of the second half but had the heart knocked out of them just seven minutes into the half.

Keeper Wray wished the ground would open up and swallow him as he tried to dribble clear but was robbed by Hipperson who casually walked the ball into the unguarded net.

Dave Hinton and Haylock both went close before further catastrophe hit the visitors.

Luke Holt’s massive punt upfield saw the ball glance off the head of Quba Gordon past his advancing keeper and slowly rolled into the net - the Trawlerboys keeper claiming an assist if not the goal itself.

Heybridge were by now thoroughly demoralised and Lowestoft rubbed salt into their wounds adding two further goals in the final four minutes.

Firstly Wray again failed to hold a Sayer free kick and Tom Fitzgerald netted from close range.

Then in the final minute Sayer sent Fitzgerald down the right and his pull back saw Reed slip the ball under the despairing keeper’s body.