A PERFECT hat-trick from Justin Bennett marked a memorable FA Cup debut for Salisbury as they romped to a 5-0 victory over Bitton AFC in the preliminary round.

The deadly marksman struck after Whites scored two quickfire goals through Lewis Benson and Tommy Wright.

Benson broke the deadlock with a fizzing free kick which rippled into the far corner on 18 minutes. And two minutes later, Wright was on hand to score his fifth successive goal with a neat finish.

Striking partner, Bennett, then scored twice in the space of 60 seconds with a left-footed strike and a glancing header.

He could have sealed his hat-trick before the interval when Brandon Mundy was hacked to the floor in the area and was awarded a penalty, but the resulting spot kick crashed against the upright.

However, Bennett made amends eight minutes into the second half with a ferocious right-footed effort to scoop the match ball.

Bitton, who are second from bottom in Toolstation Premier Division, offered very little and never tested keeper Nathan Ball in the home goal.

Boss Steve Claridge said: "I don't want to be disrespectful but the standard of opposition wasn't great.

"It's very difficult to tell whether we played badly or well, in all honestly, because they offered so little.

"I expected a lot more and you could see after minute one that they came here just to keep the score down."

The wins sees the Ray Mac outfit bank £1,925 in prize money and sets up a first round qualifying tie at home to Southern Premier outfit Frome Town on Saturday, September 3 (3pm).

Bemerton HH, who defeated rivals Amesbury Town 3-1, will travel to Basingstoke that day for a place in the second qualifying round.

Salisbury FC: Ball, Colson, Walker, Wheeler, Perrett (Oxlade-Chamberlain ht), Whelan, Benson (Matthews ht), O'Keefe, Mundy, Wright (Herbert ht), Bennett.

Subs not used: Parselle, Finnigan, Rusher, Roberts.

Scorers: Benson (18), Wright (20), Bennett (26, 27, 53).

Referee: Scott Jackson (Taunton).

Att: 561.