Obviously somebody at Eastbourne United must have taken last weeks Herald piece to heart! The need for a good start to this season was absolutely fulfilled as United ran out 5-1 winners against an under-prepared Wick.

From the kickoff, it was one way traffic as United attacked the Princes Park end, the Wick midfield seemingly oblivious to the United presence. Debutant James Stone (pictured) had already gone close after Patton had stormed past the aforementioned midfield, closely followed by a rocket from James Hull, straight at Keelan Belcher in the Wick goal. Alfie Gander was in at right back, and on 10minutes unleashed a piledriver, again just over the crossbar. The crowd was sensing a rout, despite the deadlock, and it was obvious to all and sundry that once one went in, there would be more. After relentless pressure, it was Charlie Ball who broke down the left and crossed for Hayden Beaconsfield to score on his return to United. Indeed, the floodgate effect was now underway, and within two minutes it was 2-0, this time Ball setting up Stone, who made no mistake.

Belcher saved twice at close range from Charlie Ball to keep it respectable, and had to be at his very best to parry another long range Gander shot onto his crossbar.

Just as half time was approaching in the sweltering heat, there ensued a scramble in the Wick area, United have two experts on these - James Hull and Charlie Ball, Hull it was who got there first to make it 3-0 at half time.

Wick would have had the standard “let’s keep it respectable, maybe grab an early one” talk in the break, but To absolutely no avail as Ball broke through with a solo effort going just wide of the far post.

Just 10 minutes in to the second half, Wick were trying to play out from the back, Belcher got short changed from his right back, his attempted clearance under pressure cannoning into the charging Stone, who made it 4-0.

Like a jet liner after a successful take off, United throttled back and consolidated the win. Jack Samways replaced the injured Ovenden on the hour, and Teddy Loft came on for Beaconsfield. James Hull made it 5-0, getting onto a sublime ball from the excellent Sam Scott, and There was time for United keeper Alieu Secka to need the physio as he picked up a nasty looking eye injury, and James Hull was denied a hat trick by the offside flag. Into injury possibly unsighted by that eye injury, Wick got a late looping goal just under the crossbar.

So then, United start as they mean to go. There will be harder challenges this season, definitely, but also they will have the suspended Callum Barlow and Ollie Hull, injured Anthony Thomas and Zach Robitaille to call on.

Tuesday evening sees a 7.30 kickoff at Little Common ahead on Sunday’s away FA Cup tie at Littlehampton Town.