TITLE-CANDIDATES Amesbury Town reiterated their intent on becoming champions with another goal extravaganza to take their winning tally for the season into double figures.

Nic Turpin scored twice and one each from Danny Finnigan, new-signing Craig Lewis and Tyler Brockway secured Blues' 5-1 rout, coupled with a tenth league win, at Pewsey Vale as they closed 2014 in third place – four points adrift of top two Tadley Calleva and Team Solent but with a game in hand.

Missing nine senior players for the post-Christmas fixture didn’t hinder Blues in the slightest, taking a 1-0 cushion into the break thanks to Turpin’s 13th minute header.

Then four second half goals, starting with Finnigan and then Turpin on the hour mark set the visitors on their way.

Despite, at this point, Pewsey pulling one back, the three-goal advantage was restored after Lewis’s curling beauty 18 yards out arrowed into the net. A fifth came in the form of a penalty after Lee Hodgkinson was impeded in the box and Brockway dispatched the spot kick.

“We knew going into the game that Pewsey were in fine form of late, taking points off a lot of the top sides,” reflected boss Gareth Horner. “We had nine senior players missing and had to play players out of position but from the first whistle to the last we were totally dominant.

“I asked the players just to increase our tempo as in recent weeks we have become very complacent - and that's exactly what we did. We took our chances and defended whatever was thrown at us.”

Horner adds if his players remain fit in 2015, they have a fighting chance of gunning for the title, starting with Saturday’s home clash with United Services Portsmouth (3pm).

“I mentioned previously that the Christmas period was a tough run of games and if we can get through Saturday’s fixture we will have players returning ready for a big push next year.

“We still have two semi finals to look forward to but the priority is the league and it looks as though the likes of Tadley and Solent won't drop too many points this season so it’s important we keep performing.”