A tremendous team performance saw the Highwaymen crush Ruislip Rovers 5-1 in the first round of the Middlesex Cup.

It was the proverbial game of two halves, as both teams had chances in the first period but ended it all square at 0-0. Ruislip looked a very capable side and some solid defending coupled with some good goalkeeping managed to keep them at bay.

In the second half Highway sensed there could be opportunities from set pieces and this was proved after an hour. Skipper Paul Jones rose like a fat trout to glance home Justin Andrews pefect delivery. Then the goals flowed thick and fast...

Aaron Bullock, a perfect calming influence in defence, stabbed home the second and Jones added his second, his 3rd goal in two games, with another header. Steve Atkins, who pulled all the strings in midfield, scored a fantastic fourth. At 4-0 up you'd be thinking 'thank you missus and goodnight' but a strange period of added time saw Ruislip awarded a penalty, which was saved superbly by Terry Burke, before Dwain Stephens raced away to score a superb solo 5th goal for Highway.

Ruislip were then awarded another penalty after Trevor Stephens upended their pacy forward. As Trevor rightly said after the game 'he did me for pace and I'm not as young as I was'. Too right Trevor...too right! Anyway, Ruislip converted that one which might have made their long journey back a little bit more bearable, but I doubt it.

A fantastic team performance which showed the first steps to all of this coming together. The spirit and camaraderie were just right and if we can keep that going we'll be looking to climb up the league table pretty fast.

We wish Ruislip all the best for their own league season, they are clearly a well balanced team who might feel a little unlucky to be on the end of 5 goals. Both teams were very complimentary about the referee, who handled the match brilliantly.

It's easy to be nice when you've won!

Love & Peace!

Come on the Highway