CSKA Sophia Gardens 9-0 Avenue Hotspur Reserves

CSKA Sophia Gardens recorded one of their biggest victories with a resounding 9-0 win against Avenue Hotspur Reserves in a 2pm BST kick-off at Pontcanna Fields.

The game was the final match from the Cardiff Combination League Stage 1 Group B format and CSKA knew that they needed to win if they were to have any hope of qualifying for the 3rd tier in the second stage of games.

It didn't take long for CSKA to get off the mark. Just 6 minutes into the game and it was captain Jordan Lloyd, making his first league start of the season, who hit a superb composed strike into the top right corner of the Avenue Hotspur Reserves net after the ball rolled across the edge of the area from Owen Jones.

Avenue Hotspur Reserves seemed to then settle a bit after the goal but CSKA kept their shape and remained dominant in possession. It only took another 15 minutes before the lead was doubled. Cai Mckenzie finding space to finish past the keeper.

The score was soon 3-0. The up front duo of Mckenzie and Jones was causing the Avenue Hotspur Reserves back-line all sorts of problems. It resulted in Jones getting his name on the score sheet as he harried the Avenue Hotspur Reserves defender into surrendering possession before bee-lining towards goal and hammering home.

It was a solid lead come half-time for CSKA but they felt that their possession deserved even more. The second half started in exactly the same manner and it wasn't long before another goal was added to the score. This one was slightly more fortuitous with debutant Tom Lewis hitting a free-kick from the left flank that evaded every body in the box to fly straight into the net to make it 4-0.

Just before the hour mark, CSKA made it 5-0. Striker James Joyce, substituted on for the injured Jones, made an immediate impact as he took a ball down and played a pin point through ball to the feet of Aiden Martin who finished calmly past the Avenue Hotspur Reserves keeper.

Only another 10 minutes passed before CSKA were awarded a penalty. Arron Ackerman, on for winger Cory Mackay, found himself on the ball in the Avenue Hotspur Reserves area before being scythed down. CSKA regular penalty taker Rich Hamlett stepped up but his effort was well saved by the youthful James Summer Hayes in the Avenue Hotspur Reserves goal.

CSKA didn't dwell on that miss and just a matter of minutes later they broke the Avenue Hotspur Reserves back-line again. This time it was Ackerman who played in Mckenzie who finished well to get his second goal of the game to take the score to 6-0.

The next goal then saw Lewis add his second of the game. A fantastic through ball from Tom Frowen picked out Lewis a treat and the central midfielder didn't waste his chance to give CSKA a 7-0 lead with less than 10 minutes remaining on the clock.

Hamlett then redeemed himself with 6 minutes remaining. A brilliant marauding run from full back Dec O'Neill saw him reach the right side of the Avenue Hotspur Reserves area before cutting a cross back to allow a waiting Hamlett to pass the ball into the net for 8-0.

There was still time for CSKA to get one more goal. A well-worked move down the flank saw Hamlett break through. He unselfishly cut the ball across to Mckenzie who slotted home to earn a deserved hat-trick despite the best efforts of the Avenue Hotspur Reserves defender to take him out. It was a goal that sealed a comfortable 9-0 victory.

CSKA Manager Steve Day said "It was a win we have said for a number of games we felt had been coming. The lads have worked tirelessly after a very disrupted pre-season. We welcomed back a number of players who have been absent for a number of matches including our keeper Skinner, captain Jordan, our winger Aiden, and new signing Tom. All four impressed and their influence was clear to see today. A special mention to Ceri Jones who had to step in at centre back last minute and did an outstanding job.

He added "I can't find a bad thing to say about our performance and it's one that the lads have been threatening for a while. Everything came together and across the pitch every player stepped up. The standard has been set now and there's no reason these lads can't perform like this every game. I'm very pleased for them."

CSKA Starting Line-Up

GK: Alex Skinner

DR: Dec O'Neill

DL: Huw Williams

DC: Jordan Lloyd (c)

DC: Ceri Jones

MR: Aiden Martin

ML: Cory Mackay

MC: Sam Byrne

MC: Tom Lewis

FC: Cai Mckenzie

FC: Owen Jones

Subs: Arron Ackerman, James Joyce, Rich Hamlett, Tom Frowen, and Craig Robertson (not used)

Goals: Cai Mckenzie (3), Tom Lewis (2), Owen Jones, Rich Hamlett, Aiden Martin, and Jordan Lloyd

Assists: Aiden Martin, Arron Ackerman, Rich Hamlett, Tom Frowen, Declan O'Neill, Tom Lewis, James Joyce, and Owen Jones

Three Stars: Cai Mckenzie, Jordan Lloyd, and Tom Lewis