It was a five-star performance from Hartpury as they dispatched Gloucestershire rivals Bishops Cleeve 5-1 to remain unbeaten at home.
A goal inside the first two minutes from Noah Coates started the scoring for the hosts, before an early second half equaliser from Aaron Evans-Harriot left things all to play for. Drew Robison got the Acorns back in front after his shot went in off the post, then two more quick fire goals from Nathan Jenkins and Daf Hyett all but wrapped up the points for Hartpury. A fifth of the evening came late on when Louis Manning lifted the ball into an empty net after a defensive mix up from the visitors.
First Half: Hartpury 0-0 Bishops Cleeve
It was a fast start to the derby as some nice play from Hartpury opened the Bishops Cleeve defence, as a ball across from Morgan Ewing found Noah Coates free in the box, who made no mistake from close range.
Just over 10 minutes gone and a long searching ball from Cameron Walters allowed Louis Manning to chase but he was adjudged to have pushed Matt Liddiard in the back and Bishops had a freekick just outside their box.
Hartpury continued their positive start as Jesse Aldridge got on the end of a dangerous cross, but his volleyed effort was straight at Lewis Clayton.
Another long ball from Walters again found Manning in space who sent a cross to the back post which Coates was unable to control, and the away side could clear.
The visitors finally had an opening as a poor touch from Seb Locke allowed Jack Smith to pounce, but the Hartpury defence were quick to recover before Smith could release the ball.
It was the home side next to threaten as a wide free kick was whipped in by Manning, and it was a glancing header on by Walters which Clayton just managed to tip around the post for a corner. The following corner was easily dealt with by the away side.
Just after the 30-minute mark, the hosts missed a golden opportunity to double their lead as Coates played an inch perfect pass into the path of Ewing who looked to find the far corner, but he dragged his effort wide.
A mistake at the back from Hartpury allowed Bishops to break into the box with Aaron Evans-Harriott who twisted and turned before a firing a low shot towards goal which bounced off the far post and behind for a goal kick.
Second Half: Hartpury 1-0 Bishops Cleeve
The second half started in similar fashion to the first, as Hartpury instantly looked to double their lead as the ball went out to the left-hand side with Ewing who pulled it back to Manning, but his first time shot cleared the bar.
A first adventure forward for the away side came as Sol Kent could only find Smith with his clearance, who looked destined to shoot but played a ball to Evans-Harriot who’s shot squeezed past Locke, levelling the game early in the second half.
It was an instant response from the Acorns as they worked the ball to the back post where Jenkins looked set to score but a poor first touch took the opportunity away, however he then slipped the ball into the path of Drew Robinson who fired a shot off the post and in, restoring the hosts lead almost immediately.
Another chance for Hartpury as Jenkins picked up the ball in midfield before dancing into the box, but his effort was deflected and a comfortable catch for Clayton.
With just over 20 minutes to play, Jenkins finally got his goal, as he skipped past his man into the box before cutting inside and firing a shot into the bottom corner giving Hartpury a two-goal lead.
It was a fourth in quick succession for the hosts as Manning was free on the left and drove a low cross towards the back post which was turned home by subsitiue Daf Hyett for his first Hartpury goal.
Hartpury continued to dominate the game as Rory Preston battled well down the left and came away with the ball and looked to float a cross into the box, but Clayton was off his line quick to claim.
Five minutes left on the clock, Kian Davies played a defence splitting pass looking for Hyett but Clayton was fast out of his box to intercept but his clearance only found Manning who lifted the ball from distance into an empty net giving the Acorns their fifth of the evening.
Full Time: Hartpury 5-1 Bishops Cleeve
