HALSTEAD Town were 6-0 winners at Brimsdown in Thurlow Nunn first division south, writes KEN GILLIARD.

The long trip to Tilbury, the temporary home of Brimsdown, saw a top versus bottom clash with the Humbugs looking to extend their league winning streak to six.

The notable change in their line-up was the return of goalkeeper Jack Cherry with Jordan Palmer, his deputy in the last game, returned back to his normal attacking role.

Halstead had the early opportunities with Palmer headed a Thomas free-kick over and then Miller going close from another set piece.

The first chance from open play fell to Blackwell following a good move down the left, involving Palmer and Cleal, but the final effort was just the wrong side of the upright.

It was no surprise when Halstead finally broke the deadlock, although it took over 20 minutes.

It came when Brown’s ball into the box was laid off by Cleal and Hampson hammered it into the roof of the net.

It took just two more minutes for Halstead to double their advantage with Hampson turning provider.

Palmer put in a nice ball to Hampson’s feet and a cheeky back heel played in Blackwell, who fired home.

Brimsdown were providing a threat on the counter and only a fantastic recovery tackle by Brown on the edge of his box prevented the home forward having a one on one with Cherry.

The remainder of the half saw Halstead in control with efforts from Brown and Thomas almost extending the lead but up the other end, amid some strange decisions from the referee.

Halstead were grateful for a superb Cherry stop from a debatable free-kick.

The visitors also saw the referee turn down a stone-wall handball and penalty and the official further alienated himself with the visitor by sin-binning Blackwell.

Halstead managed to see out the final ten minutes of the half with ten men and went into the break with their two-goal lead intact.

Brimsdown made a much stronger start to the second half but the visitors were soon back in the ascendancy and Cleal went close to adding to his season's tally.

The Humbugs added a third when Blackwell's was met by Hampson, whose shot was superbly saved by keeper Dogan.

However, Cleal reacted to the rebound the quickest and fired the loose ball home for his customary goal.

Halstead then quickly added another through Thomas, whose effortwas pushed into the net by the home stopper.

Only some great stops from the Brimsdown keeper and profligate finishing from the visitors stopped more goals, before the inevitable finally happened.

It was again the Blackwell/Hampson combination as Blackwell’s cross was tapped in at the far post by Hampson, for his second of the game.

This was the second consecutive league match that Halstead had scored five and the fourth time in their last five league matches they had achieved this feat.

Halstead added a sixth when Palmer headed home and substitute Strong almost added a seventh, as Halstead wrapped another big win.

Halstead Town: Jack Cherry, Ryan Carter, Matt Travell (Greg Strong), Nick Miller, Jack Schelvis, Joe Thomas, Alfie Cleal, Jake Brown (Louis O’Sullivan), Jordan Palmer (Mark Dallinger) Jordan Blackwell, Adam Hampson. Sub (not used): Liam Whitehead.