Blueharts started their new season in East Premier A with a thumping 7-0 victory over Ipswich seconds. Harts took the lead early in the first half when Oliver Hammond scored from close range volleying the ball into the roof of the net. New recruit Mike Ol

Blueharts started their new season in East Premier A with a thumping 7-0 victory over Ipswich seconds.

Harts took the lead early in the first half when Oliver Hammond scored from close range volleying the ball into the roof of the net.

New recruit Mike Oliver scored the second just before the half-time break.

The second half continued to see Blueharts dominate and Paul Buckland soon added the third from a well-executed drag flick.

Ashley Hammond was next on the scoresheet after smashing the ball hard into the backboards.

Oliver then chipped in with his second of the game, cheekily deflecting the ball behind his body giving the keeper no chance.

Then a great move by Jim Lewis saw his cross from inside the circle take a lucky deflection off a defender's stick and sneak into the corner of the goal.

Oliver Hammond completed his brace with a kamikaze style run which ended with him jabbing the ball past the keeper in a courageous one on one.

Blueharts have also reached the second round of the HA Cup and travel away to Wisbech this Sunday.

Harts progressed to the next knockout phase by recently beating Norwich City 9-3, Ashley Hammond scoring a hat-trick.

The seconds also started their season well with a good 4-1 win over Ramgarhia away from home. A good display saw goals from captain Phil Britton (two), John Sapsed and new boy Richard Middleditch.

Newly promoted Letchworth put in a stunning performance against St Neots, winning 8-2 in a statement of intent to the rest of Division One.

The game got off to a poor start with St Neots scoring an excellent goal from a well-drilled free hit deflection after just two minutes.

The response from Letchworth was fierce, responding with a confident short corner routine finished by Scott Apps. Soon after, Letchworth took the lead with another powerful finish by striker Apps.

Letchworth dominated the play as the game progressed and managed to force a free hit at the 25; Letchworth moved 3-1 ahead when the ball flew past the keeper without time to move as James Keel deflected a forceful strike from Dave Gentry's free hit.

Saints dragged a goal back from a fortunate bobbling hit at a short corner, but when Matthew Scott put through a brilliant ball to Tom Butler, the two-goal deficit was restored as he put away the goal with composure to leave the score at 4-2 at half-time.

Letchworth took apart the St Neots defence after the break with some excellent passing. Apps finished off a fine hat-trick in style with a strong drag flick from a short corner.

Another short corner was converted by Butler who smashed the ball through the keeper's legs to bring the score to 6-2.

Some fantastic interplay in the D between Chris Wharton and Ian Haywood brought about a seventh goal with the latter providing a cool finish around the keeper.

Gentry ended the scoring in emphatic style, smashing the ball home from the top of the D.

Man of the match Chris Wharton was in imperious form all game, dominating the midfield and creating many opportunities.

Other scores: Southend 2 Letchworth II 0; Blueharts III 0 Letchworth III 1 (Nick Hawkes); Letchworth IV 0 Royston 2; MBDA 3 Letchworth III 3 (Ken Hall two, Gary Beaumont).

Stevenage started their league campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw against local rivals Welwyn Garden City.

The home side were sluggish and looked second best for the first quarter.

Stevenage created a few chances of their own but conceded the opening goal when Dan Parker deflected into his own net past a stranded Tim Dingley.

After the break, Stevenage equalised as Jon Oliver lost his marker and found Danny Blackburn open in the penalty area to fire the ball past a stranded Welwyn keeper.

There were opportunities for both teams in the closing stages with Gary Brown's shot well saved in the last minute.

Other scores: Stevenage II 1 (Mitch Snares) Broxbourne II 7; Stevenage III 1 (Danny Hanslow) Welwyn Garden City III 4; Stevenage IV 0 Broxbourne V 8; Stevenage V 1 (Martin Swarbrick) Southgate Adelaide III 1; Stevenage VI 3 (Simon Speller two, Jack Nevill) Royston V 5.