TWO goals in each half saw Halstead Town win 4-0 at Wormley and maintain their position in the Thurlow Nunn League first division south play-off places, writes KEN GILLIARD.

The Humbugs made the brighter start and took the lead after only three minutes.

Jordan Blackwell provided a pinpoint cross for Calvin Poku, who headed home on his return to the side.

At this stage Halstead were in the ascendancy and looked dangerous and Palmer almost added a second with a diving header from a Thomas cross, which went just wide.

Wormley slowly got back into the match and at times, Halstead were struggling to get beyond the halfway line.

The hosts were hampered by the sin binning of their captain but were still largely the better side and so it was something of a surprise that on the stroke of half-time, the Humbugs doubled their lead.

Mark Dallinger’s effort rebounded to Blackwell who picked out Poku to slot home for his second of the game.

Dallinger still had time to test Tuasaam in the home goal, but he was up to the task as Halstead went in at the break ahead.

Halstead showed intent at the start of the second half and Poku almost grabbed his hat-trick but he put his effort just wide.

However, it didn’t take too much longer for Halstead to add a third.

Alfie Cleal's long throw was headed on by Dallinger and Jordan Palmer produced an overhead kick from the edge of the box, which found the net.

The game moved into a more sterile period with the two sides cancelling each other out.

Blackwell was denied by Tuasaam's great save with 20 minutes remaining and as the clock ticked down, Halstead manager Mark McLean took the chance to rotate his players.

As the game entered the final ten minutes it was one of the substitutes, Jamie Baker, who added a fourth for the visitors.

His left-foot strike after Dallinger headed on nestled nicely in the back of the net, as the Humbugs claimed victory.

Halstead Town: Jack Cherry, Ryan Carter, Greg Strong (Callum Tracey), Joe Thomas, Nick Miller (Gary Burdett), Jack Schelvis, Alfie Cleal, Jordan Palmer, Calvin Poku (Jamie Baker), Jordan Blackwell, Mark Dallinger.