‘I wanted a reaction and I got one’ – Moneyfields boss Carter salutes 5-1 Southern League romp at Thatcham Town

Kieron Roberts scored twice as Moneyfields romped to a 5-1 win at Thatcham. Pic: Martyn White.

First half goals from Steve Hutchings (2), Connor Bailey and Kieran Roberts put the visitors in charge at the Stacatruc Stadium.

Manager Dave Carter felt it was an important result.

'It is good to finally get up and running in the league,' he said.

'We needed to get points on the board.

'I wanted a reaction after our heavy FA Cup defeat at the weekend and I got it.

'It was a game that we dominated and it was all over as a contest by half-time.

We scored some well-worked goals.

'It is the first time Steve Hutchings and Kieran Roberts have started together and they scored two goals each.

'This will help build confidence and belief in our squad.

Moneys gave themselves the perfect injection of much-needed confidence by taking a second minute lead.

A break down the right ended with Roberts drawing out the goalkeeper before squaring for Hutchings to slot into an empty net.

Joy was short-lived, however, as the hosts hit back to level three minutes later when goalkeeper Jake Hallett was beaten by a 25-yard shot.

Hutchings restored his side’s' lead on 15 minutes from the penalty spot following a handball in the area.

Keeper George Legg got a hand to the spot-kick but couldn't keep it out of the net.

Hutchings has now scored nine league and cup goals already in 2020/21.

This time Moneyfields went on to tighten their grip with two goals in as many minutes before half-time.

On 32 minutes Bailey fired in a long-range effort that somehow crept into the corner of the net.

Almost immediately a long ball caught out the home defence and Roberts rounded the 'keeper before firing home.

Both teams had chances at the start of the second half.

Legg blocked from Roberts, who was through on goal, and at the other end Hallett did well to keep out a piledriver of a shot.

Moneyfields remained in control of a competitive and entertaining second half against the club who were top of the table when last season was abruptly halted due to the pandemic.

Roberts grabbed his second goal of the game to put the icing on the cake of a terrific victory.

Moneyfields: Hallett, Sanders, Bailey, Raine (Dinsmore), Da Costa, Pearce, Briggs (Lloyd), Ridge, Lafleur, Hutchings, Roberts (Jatta).