NFC Kesh 6

Strathroy Harps 0

NFC Kesh started the season in convincing style, blasting six goals past Strathroy Harps to record the biggest win of the opening weekend.

Jordan Cadden and Jack Kerr both bagged a brace, with Mark Jones and Lee Walker getting their names on the scoresheet as Kesh coasted to a comfortable victory.

“Strathroy are a good side but we were very impressive,” acknowledged Kesh Manager, Scott Robinson.

“It was the perfect start and we were in complete control. It was a great performance in front of a great crowd, and support like that makes it a lot easier.”

Robinson has been active in the transfer market with Justin Palmer, Niall McMenamin, Nathan Cashel and Stefan McCusker among the players making their competitive debut on Saturday, and the boss was delighted with his new-look squad.

“After last year we knew we had to freshen it up and get a few boys in,” he admitted.

“It allows me to change the shape if I want to, depending on how we are playing. We have the quality now to be able to deal with it, whereas last year we didn’t.

“Now we can play one up or two up, and when you have pace in your team you are hard to beat.

“We have a lot of pace and if we can keep producing then we will do alright, but we will take it week to week and see how we go.”

It was a lightning start from Kesh, who were a goal up after just 35 seconds.

They won the ball back from the kick-off and Jake Irvine set Nathan Cashel away down the left.

His first-time cross was struck goalward by Jones, and although his shot was saved, Cadden was on hand to rifle in the rebound.

The home outfit then doubled their lead after six minutes when Jones chased a long ball down near the corner flag and whipped in a cross that was converted by Lee Walker.

A rare Strathroy attack saw them glance the top of the crossbar with a shot, but Kesh were straight back on the attack and before long it was 3-0 when Ryan Beatty found Jones, and the striker drifted past two defenders and fired into the bottom corner.

Five minutes before the break the game was effectively over when Cashel’s cross was turned in by Cadden, to leave it 4-0 at the interval.

In the second half, Mark Jones made way for Jack Kerr, and the substitute had an immediate impact.

He missed a great chance with his first touch when his header missed the target, but he made amends when he unleashed a drive into the bottom corner,.

And Kerr rounded off the scoring, adding his second and Kesh’s sixth with ten minutes remaining.