NORTH Gloucestershire Premier League leaders Howle Hill maintained their perfect start to the season with a magnificent seventh win, condemning Redbrook to a frightful Halloween afternoon.

Things couldn’t have started much worse for the hosts, with Ben Davies originally set to make his first-team debut in goal suffering an injury two minutes before kick-off.

Howle Hill have made a flying start to the season
Howle Hill have made a flying start to the season (Howle Hill FC)

With no recognised keeper on the bench, centre-back Gareth Clarke-Williams was handed the gloves, but the disruption showed almost immediately, with a defensive mix-up gifting Joe Thomas the opener for Howle Hill inside two minute.

And another costly error saw the former Ross Juniors hotshot double the Weston-under-Penyard-based visitors’ advantage after just 10 minutes.

Redbrook struggled to settle as Hill demonstrated exactly why they sit at the top of the table, defending resolutely and exploiting spaces with quick counter-attacks.

Milnes fires third after 24 minutes

And a well-worked move resulted in their third on 24 minutes, Kristian Milnes firing home.

Redbrook reverted to their familiar formation and gradually began to find their feet.

The game became scrappy and competitive on the Wyeside pitch, with the Brook creating opportunities, but Hill keeper Ross Barnett was quick off his line to deny both Tom Wareham and Jake Teague.

And just as Redbrook looked to be finding some rhythm, another defensive error allowed the visitors to add another on 41 minutes through James Blackwell for 4-0 at the break.

Howle Hill were celebrating a 6-0 win on Saturday
Howle Hill were celebrating a 6-0 win on Saturday. File photo (Howle Hill FC)

Redbrook made changes at the break, with Joe Stephens and Zak Morgan introduced, and began moving the ball with greater freedom and creating openings,

Teague came close after a good opportunity, only to be denied by an excellent one-on-one save.

Joe completes hat-trick with Hill’s fifth

And further opportunities went begging, with Joe Reeves unable to find the target and Cai Hawkins unable to make clean contact with a headed chance.

But Howle Hill regained control during the final 20 minutes, their superior fitness and quality shining through, with Thomas completing his hat-trick on 74 minutes and Conner Watkins adding a sixth six minutes from time.

Elsewhere, NG Premier table-mates Mitcheldean secured a 1-1 draw at Soudley to climb out of the drop zone, sub Lee Simmons with the goal.

But bottom side Longhope’s woes continued with a 4-1 reverse at home to Westbury United, Richard May with the consolation.

Baldwin fires only goal as Lydbrook 2nds beat Whitecroft

NG1 leaders Lydbrook 2nds were indebted to a Steve Baldwin goal as they squeezed home 1-0 against lowly visitors Whitecroft to stay unbeaten.

And a goal from Ade Cole also fired table-mates Ruardean Hill 2nds to a 1-0 Gloucestershire Intermediate Cup home win over Randwick 1sts.

But back in the league, neighbours Ruardean United lost 5-2 at home to Bream 2nds, Dylan Fury and Callum Price with the consolations.

Mitcheldean 2nds edge Lydbrook A in derby

Meanwhile, Mitcheldean 2nds secured derby bragging rights in NG2 with a 3-2 home win over Lydbrook A, William Martin with a brace and Gavin Smith one, and Connor Emsley and Jay Knight scoring for the visitors.

Ruardean United 2nds also won 2-1 away to Harrow Hill B in the Gloucestershire Primary Cup, Jordan Wayman and Adrian Young their marksmen.

And an Oliver Austin goal secured a 1-1 draw for Longhope 2nds away to Alvington 2nds in NG3.