Harpenden Town continued their impressive start to the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division campaign with a commanding 4-1 victory against Harlow Town.
The result at Rothamsted Park on Saturday moves the Harps up to second place in the table with nine points from their opening four matches, having recorded three wins and one defeat.
Only leaders Biggleswade United, on 10 points, sit above them.
Harpenden wasted little time in asserting their authority and were ahead after just four minutes. In-form striker Jon Clements opened the scoring with a well-taken finish, taking his tally to four goals for the season already.
The hosts doubled their advantage just two minutes later when Sam Doolan rose highest to plant a header beyond the reach of Harlow goalkeeper Vinny Murugamoorthy, leaving the visitors stunned.
With Harpenden dominating possession and creating the better opportunities, a third goal arrived on 33 minutes. Henry Jones burst into the penalty area before firing a low shot past Murugamoorthy to cap an excellent first-half display and put the Harps firmly in control at the break.
Leading 3-0 at half-time, Harpenden continued to press after the restart and were rewarded with a fourth goal on 67 minutes. Defender Josh Codling got on the scoresheet to complete another slick attacking move and effectively end any hopes of a Harlow comeback.
The visitors managed to register a consolation goal nine minutes from time when Francisco Figuereo found the net to reduce the arrears, but it proved little more than a footnote in a match dominated by the home side.
There was a minor blemish on an otherwise excellent afternoon for Harpenden when substitute Mehdi Mayah was shown a second yellow card in stoppage time, reducing the hosts to ten men. However, by then the points were already secured and the result was never in doubt.
The comprehensive win underlined Harpenden's early-season credentials as they maintained their strong momentum in the Premier Division.
With goals spread throughout the side and confidence clearly growing, they remain firmly in the hunt at the top end of the table heading into the next round of fixtures.
Harpenden Town: Frost, Kelly, Smith, Codling, Goodman, Doolan, Greville, Pinkham, Clements, Jones, Bailey. Subs used: White, Andic, Keenlyside, Mayah, McDonald.
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