FROLESWORTH United sauntered to their most empathic victory of the season so far after the Rabbits thumped struggling Wigston United 9-3 on a stunning autumnal morning at Kimcote Road to maintain their five point lead at the Division Two summit.
A hat-trick from leading goalscorer Callum Wills, a late brace from Sam Young and another goal for Max Jones helped United on their way to a sixth successive win, but it was Barnes Gladman's double and Chris Capell's first goal for the club that put the icing on the cake for interim manager Jordan Halford, whose side maintained their 100 per cent start to life in the third tier.
In truth, the hosts could quite conceivably have hit double figures as Gladman struck the woodwork inside the opening exchanges and Andy Morris later saw his delicate back-heel caress the paint of the crossbar as United eased to 18 points before the EW Foster Cup kicks off in a fortnight's time.
Following his recent relocation to London, much speculation surrounded Gilmorton with regards to the future of the interim manager, but nonetheless he chose to name the same side for the third successive week. Both Steven Bottom and Josh Van Allen returned to the bench at the expense of youngster Jack Frake and Dan Morrow, while Ben Hallam was named in the squad for the first time this season following injury.
The Rabbits managed to grind out a hard-fought 5-3 win over nearest rivals Oadby Owls at Judgemeadow last week, but after a disappointing second-half display they continued in the same vein against Wigston and found themselves trailing after barely three minutes. Harry Shervington - last week's man of the match - has been a rock at the heart of the United defence so far but he was guilty of putting the ball into his own net after goalkeeper Luke Evans came out to smother a low cross.
It was an early setback, but the home side hauled themselves level on the quarter hour from the most unlikely source. In his four years at the club, midfield enforcer Capell has garnered a reputation for his robust tackling so it was of utmost surprise to everyone at Kimcote Road and perhaps even himself, when he curled home a sumptuous effort from 20-yards before demonstrating his acrobatic celebration to get United up and running.
And no sooner than 30 seconds later, the hosts took the lead in bizarre circumstances as from the ensuing kick-off when Jones robbed Wigston of possession on the edge of the box before comfortably rolling home. From here on in, the Rabbits wouldn't look back either as the division's most prolific marksman Wills added another to his burgeoning tally before Gladman, who had missed a glut of chances with his favoured right boot earlier in the contest, ensured United went into the break 4-1 ahead when he met a teasing cross from the left with a glancing header into the far corner on the stroke of half-time.
But instead of cruise through the gears, similarly to last week's y scare United shipped another goal eight minutes after the restart to cause Halford further concern at his team's infrequent lapses of concentration. However, the goal did serve to reinvigorate United and it took just three minutes for them to reply as Gladman drilled home his second from long range after Young's perfect knock down.
The interim boss rang the changes again on the hour mark, introducing Miles Splevings for Gladman while Shervington was replaced by Van Allen following complaints of a twinge and after another disappointing concession for United, the fresh legs eventually demonstrated Frolesworth's undoubted strength in depth as Wills completed his first hat-trick for the club with a three-minute double salvo.
Hallam was given his debut for the club with 15 minutes remaining and if there was any doubt whether he was fully fit, those concerns were immediately dispelled as he illustrated his pedigree by sending Young sprawling through in the 78th minute with a wonderful pass before seeing his powerful drive beaten into the path of the striker in the dying seconds as United completed their rout by scoring the most goals in the club's history.
The Rabbits have a bye in the first round of the FA Intermediate Cup next week and so, will be given a well earned rest after amassing an astonishing 18 points from their opening six games. Division Three outfit AFC Bees Knees await in the opening game of the EW Foster Cup when United resume, with Halford keen to tinker with the side and demonstrate the strength in depth he has available, but he will fully expect his side to continue their imperious form throughout October and beyond.
