FIVE-STAR Finchampstead returned to winning ways in the Hellenic League Division One East as they thumped Woodley United 5-1 at Memorial Park on Saturday, writes Richard Ashton.

The visitors had the game’s first chance as Matt Brookling saw his shot from 20 yards blocked, but Freddie Barron turned the ball in from close range following a low cross from the right to give Finch an eighth-minute lead.

Minutes later it should have been two when another low cross from the right went through a sea of bodies to find Scott Hunter but he rushed his shot and dragged it wide of the left post.

The home side did get their second on 12 minutes when Danny Blatchford found the left corner with a shot from just outside the box. Looking for an immediate response, Woodley’s Daniel McLeod-Walker missed to the right from 30-plus yards.

Just before the 20-minute mark a nice move by United ended with Luke Titcombe testing Tom Bryant in the home goal after the Woodley captain picked up a neat pass from full back Matt Leigh.

Finchampstead made it three on 32 minutes when a cross from the right was converted at the second attempt by Harry Swabey.

The half ended with more pressure from the hosts; Woodley keeper Kriss Hemmings keeping his side’s faint hopes alive with saves from Swabey, Blatchford and Barron.

United started the second half in the perfect way when Brookling pulling one back after receiving a pass from Tim Green.

The home side restored their three-goal advantage on 67 minutes when Barron slid in a low Swabey cross at the back post.

And Finchampstead got their fifth courtesy of Greg Alexander, who completed the rout on 84 minutes.

Finch travel to Lambourn Sports in the Hellenic League Challenge Cup on Saturday (1.30pm).

l SANDHURST Town stunned neighbours Eversley & California with a memorable 4-0 win in their Combined Counties League Division One clash on Monday.

The Fizzers took the lead on the half hour when a speculative 25-yard effort from Gavin Branch hit the target, and they extended their lead to 3-0 at the break.

And high-flying Eversley – who did not have a shot on target all game – conceded again to fall to a desperate defeat.

The Boars host CB Hounslow on Saturday (3pm), while Sandhurst Town travel to Bedfont & Feltham (3pm).