Sholing saw off a plucky Alresford side 4-0 in the Sydenhams Premier at the Silverlake Arena tonight.

A brace from skipper Byron Mason, a goal from Ashley Jarvis and a Lee Wort penalty, secured victory for the Boatmen over last season’s runners-up.

In a frantic start to the game the ball was in the back of the net twice. Firstly by Lee Wort, who was flagged offside after he poked home from close range following a belting effort from winger Nick Watts that crashed against the crossbar.

Then as Alresford attacked Mike Carter knocked a hopeful ball up to Watts who elegantly turned centre back Lee Wood before flighting the ball over the backpedalling Magpies defence, who failed to catch Jarvis as he delivered a precise finish into the bottom right of the net past keeper Jason Collins on five minutes.

The away side showed their offensive prowess as Zach Glasspool, Suhael Odeh and Dominic Cope all worked Matt Brown in the home goal.

Just as Alresford got into their stride, midfielder Tyronne Bowers whipped in a fierce corner which found the towering figure of Byron Mason, who planted a powerful header into the net to make it 2-0 on 24 minutes.

Jarvis saw red in the second half after a tangle with Magpies substitute Stu Green in an incident where both players were booked.

The striker then received a second yellow for arguing with the referee over a tackle made on his forward partner Wort.

In the last ten minutes the game once again ignited into action. Watts, who was arguably the Boatmen’s best performer, was fouled in the box by centre back Wood.

Wort then dispatched a cool penalty to the left of Collins for his seventh goal of the campaign.

With minutes remaining, Alresford were caught on the break as substitute striker James Thomson unselfishly squared the ball to Byron Mason, who slotted home to complete the scoring.