RAZOR-SHARP Amesbury Town sunk five past Andover New Street to ensure their preparation for Saturday’s table-topping cruncher with Tadley Calleva was pitch perfect.

The Blues’ rout has put them up to 58 goals for the season, the only side to reach that feat so far in Wessex Division One, after wiping the floor with Andover 5-1.

Their powerhouse strike force once again came up with the goods in the form of an Eddie Perrett hat-trick, and goals from Nic Turpin and Danny Finnigan.

The only damper on Town’s terrific win was being denied a clean sheet with four minutes of normal time remaining as Lee Foyle was on target for the visitors.

“Three points was a must and although it wasn't pretty the lads took their chances when they came and were comfortable winners in the end,” said boss Gareth Horner.

“If Andover managed to take one or two of their chances early on it could have been a different story.

In fairness, though, it's not easy for the lads to be stop-starting all the time.

“On paper it looks as though we have had things our own way. In truth, the score line probably flatters us a little.”

Amesbury, in third, approach Saturday (3pm) four points adrift of the leaders and a point behind Team Solent, but have a game in hand on both teams.

Horner added: “The win sets up Saturday nicely, although the league or promotion won't be won or lost in one day. We have lots of tough fixtures in front of us and we will have to be at our best as Tadley are a very good side.

“The only disappointing factor so far this year is that against the likes of Tadley, Cowes Sports and New Milton we have failed to pick up points and that is something we need to be thinking about over the coming weeks.

“We were terrific at Downton (a fortnight ago) at times and I asked for much of the same but it just took us a while to get through the gears.”

Tadley will arrive at Bonnymead Park fresh from a 2-1 win at US Portsmouth.