WHITCHURCH Alport got their season off to a flying start ahead of tonight’s trip to Eccleshall.

A 5-1 win over Holker Old Boys at Yockings Park ensured the Reds occupied top spot in the first published league table – and there was much to admire about Alport’s performance.

They were dominant throughout and were simply far too good for their Cumbrian opponents who had accounted for Alport’s scalp twice in three meetings last term.

Manager Luke Goddard put all four of his strikers out and summer capture Ben Mills endeared himself to the Red Army with a fine display that saw him bag a hat-trick, along with the Cadstones Building Supplies man-of-the-match award.

Si Everall and Luke Walley were also on target and although Mike Blundell – top scorer last season with 31 goals – didn’t find the net, he can be proud of his contribution as Whitchurch played some fantastic football at times.

Perhaps the most telling observation from a routine afternoon was that Alport had a gear or two to go through before they could say they had reached their peak.

The result left Goddard a happy man. “It was great to get the three points today,” he said.

“It was nice to score a few.”

For more on Alport, see this week’s Herald.