AFTER regularly banging in 50-plus Wessex goals a season, the big question surrounding Warren Bentley was could he do it at Southern League level.

The answer on Saturday was an emphatic "yes" as the 25-year-old weighed in with a staggering five goals in 42 first-half minutes to knock the stuffing out of Bridgwater Town.

City’s 7-2 victory was an eye-opening way to announce their return into the Evo-Stik Division One South & West.

And, in the slightly-built, quietly-spoken Bentley they have a marksman whose uncanny scoring knack will surely strike fear into defenders wherever he goes.

Typically modest, the Sholing Technology College PE teacher said: “I once scored five for Alresford against Team Solent, but I’ve never got five in one half before.

“It was just one of those days when everything I hit went in. It was unbelievable.”

With his trusty sidekick Zach Glasspool for company, flanked by Geoff Dunn and Dan Cann, Bentley had a feeling from the off that Winchester would overpower their Somerset visitors.

“The fact they lined up 3-5-2 and we like playing four up top meant we were always going to cause them problems. It took 35-40 minutes for them to change things and the damage was done by then,” he said.

If the 202-strong Denplan City Ground crowd were mildly surprised by the ease with which Bentley struck twice in opening ten minutes, nothing could prepare them for the drama ahead.

Having stunned keeper Jake Viney with a thumping near-post finish just four minutes in, the supremely gifted No10 then skilfully steered the ball into the unguarded net from 25 yards after Viney had raced out to close down Glasspool.

Bentley’s third and fourth goals both emanated from Cann crosses from the left and his 42nd-minute fifth was a coolly placed penalty after City’s classy left-back Jake Newton had been clumsily bundled over by Sam Towler.

Bentley turned provider for Winchester’s sixth, fired home from an acute angle by Glasspool with 49 minutes gone.

And the last word went to 16-year-old Harrison Fay – a Tyro League player just seasons ago – who was set up by fellow sub Luke Benali, son of ex-Saint Franny.

The only blots on an otherwise perfect day for Winchester were two pieces of slack defending in the 45th and 56th minutes that let Joe Bushin and Jamie Thoroughgood (og). Those Bridgwater goals put a slightly unrealistic slant on the scoreline because, in truth, City should have won by ten.

Reflecting on a breathtaking first half, Winchester's assistant boss Paul Wiltshire – covering in the absence of Paul Masters – smiled: “In all my time in the game, that was probably the best 45 minutes of football I’ve experienced. It was an absolute dream.

"You tell the lads the things you want them to do before a game and today everything went to a tee.

“Warren Bentley has skills you can’t teach – and I think he’ll get better.

“Bridgwater got off lightly with seven goals, but I’m really happy with that.

“The last time Paul (Masters) was away we beat Brockenhurst 10-0 in a friendly and he said he needn’t come back. He’s just texted me and said that’s 17 goals he’s missed while he's been away!”

Winch hope to add to that tally tomorrow (Tuesday) when ex-Saint Wiltshire again takes charge for their away opener at Wimborne Town. The Magpies had a poor opening day, beaten 4-1 at Shortwood United.

Despite their 7-2 romp, Winchester are not top of the fledgling South & West table. That honour goes to Cinderford Town, 6-0 winners over Steve Riley's hastily-built, new Bashley side.