BRACES from Danny Finnigan and Nic Turpin powered Amesbury Town to a 6-0 trouncing over Downton FC as they collected derby pride.

And with title rivals Team Solent slipping up at home to Cowes Sports, the three points have put the Blues within a point of the leading two and now have a game in hand on the university side.

Finnigan gave the visitors a helping hand early on with his opener. And one became two when Chris Ward finished a sweet move combining Cameron Roach and Turpin.

Seven minutes into the second half Amesbury made it three when Turpin bundled the ball home.

At this point, the game was already won and additional goals from prolific trio Turpin, Finnigan and Eddie Perrett, respectively, ensured there was no way back for the Robins.

Blues boss Gareth Horner said: “We spoke before the game about how difficult Downton made it for us in our previous hospital cup tie and the need to be patient and not get too carried away by the fact that it was a derby.

“The goal in the first five minutes certainly helped and, although we didn’t play superbly in the first half, we adapted to the conditions well and were in control.

“I asked the players to try and increase the tempo in the second half and keep the ball as much as possible and that is exactly what they did and in fairness we could have scored a couple more after missing some decent chances.”

“It was good to have players returning to the squad and getting good minutes into them and we can only hope the weather doesn’t interfere with the next couple of games.

“Fair play to Downton, they are a young side and kept plugging away but we just had a little more experience and quality on the day.”