Folland Sports produced a “perfect team performance” as they hammered reigning Sydenhams Premier Division champions Blackfield & Langley 5-0, writes TIM PRESCOTT.

That was the verdict of jubilant head coach Dave Lewis after one of the most surprising Wessex scorelines in modern times.

With manager Danny Bowers attending a prior engagement, and not arriving at Follands Park until half-time, former Hamble co-manager Lewis took control of first team affairs.

It proved to be a successful return for Lewis as Ryan Long’s hat-trick against his former club and a goal apiece from Matt Burt and Jamie Barron sent the Planemakers soaring to a fifth game unbeaten.

Lewis said: “Our performance was probably the best we’ve had in the four years that we have been at the club.

“It was a complete team performance.

“What we were pleased with today was when we attacked we weren’t too expansive.

“We kept it quite tight and kept our shape well, which made it hard for Blackfield.

“We completely controlled the game and dictated where Blackfield played .

“We made them pass down dark alleys which meant we snuffed out most of their attacks quite comfortably.

“It was something we talked about before the game and the lads executed the plan perfectly.”

Folland made a flying start and were ahead inside a minute when Long headed in to the top corner.

The same player made it 2-0 with a fantastic half-volley from the edge of the area in the 39th minute.

Towering defender Burt capped a fantastic first half performance for Folland, powering in from Jake Long’s corner a minute before the break.

Ryan Long comfortably slotted in from the penalty spot to complete his triple after brother Jake was hauled down by keeper Steve Mowthorpe in the 62nd minute.

Captain Barron sealed his side’s comprehensive win with eight minutes remaining, drilling in from the edge of the area following Mike Turvey’s cross.

Lewis was full of praise for hat-trick hero Long, who has also played for Romsey Town in the Wessex League as well as a sting with Blackfield last season “I’ve never seen such a good player work as hard as he does, and he does it week in week out,” said Lewis.

“He’s outstanding and as good as there is in this league.”

Dejected Blackfield manager Glenn Burnett said: “It was a very disappointing result. We were missing eight players who would have started and that would have made a big difference.”