HALSTEAD Town were beaten 6-0 at home by Buckhurst Hill in their Thurlow Nunn League first division south top-of-the-table clash at Milbanks, writes KEN GILLIARD.

The Humbugs made three changes to their starting line-up, with Ryan Carter, Jordan Pavett and Louis O’Sullivan all included.

Buckhurst Hill started well and should have been in front before a minute had elapsed but Suley Zudhu lashed over when well placed.

The visitors had the better of the early exchanges with Halstead restricted to a long-range effort from Cleal, whilst at the other end, Ryan Taylor's timely intervention was needed and then Zudhu was just off target when well placed.

Buckhurst Hill should have scored on 18 minutes as a simple ball over the top found Nicholson, but the advancing Cherry saved with his legs to keep the deadlock.

The visitors then had a golden opportunity after 20 minutes as Tyler Dolan turned the home defence and was taken down by Cherry and referee pointed to the spot.

Zudhu took the responsibility and converted with ease.

The day got worse for the hosts as within minutes Sonny Shilling turned the home defence and he planted his shot into the bottom right-hand corner, despite Cherry getting a hand to it.

Zudhu was a constant threat for visitors and when he went through and rounded Cherry he looked nailed on to add another.

But he was taken down by Tracey and the referee again had no option but point to the spot.

Zudhu went to the same corner and got the same result as he added to Halstead’s misery.

It was slim pickings for Halstead and when Cleal broke he managed to get a left foot effort away, but Harris blocked for a corner, from which Brown skied an effort from outside the box.

Buckhurst Hill then started to assert their authority again and Zudhu's effort went just wide of the right hand upright.

This was followed by Shilling then smashing one against the same post, as Halstead rode their luck.

Buckhurst Hill held a commanding and deserved three-goal advantage at the break and the second half started in a similar way.

However, Halstead had a half-hearted shout for a penalty as Palmer went down in the box.

At the other end, Cherry pulled off a great one handed save as Buckhurst Hill started to apply pressure again.

Halstead did look to hit on the break and O’Sullivan’s effort was deflected wide and from the resultant corner, he lashed wide when well placed.

But Buckhurst Hill added a fourth when Nathan Sollosi stabbed home after more mayhem in the Halstead box.

And it was 5-0 when a quick break down the right saw a ball across the area and after Zudhu’s effort was saved on the line, Tyler Dolan turned home the rebound.

Palmer headed over for Halstead when he should have at least got on target, after good work by Pavett and Adam Hampson.

Tracey cleared off the line after Cherry had taken the sting out of substitute Fehinti Falola’s effort.

But Buckhurst Hill added a sixth when Halstead failed to clear their lines and Nicholson got his deserved goal.

Substitute Mark Dallinger's low effort was well saved by keeper Daniel Blockley but Cherry made a great save from Falola and substitute Brad Rowland.

Cherry was Halstead's man of the match despite them conceding six, which emphasised the visitors' dominance.

Halstead: Jack Cherry, Ryan Carter, Callum Tracey, Jordan Pavett (Mark Dallinger), Jack Schelvis, Jake Brown, Alfie Cleal, Louis O’Sullivan (James Walker) Jordan Palmer, Adam Hampson, Matt Travell. Subs: Greg Strong, Nick Miller, Alfie Lewis.