PAUL Masters had a sneaking suspicion that Winchester City would be better suited to the Southern League than the Wessex.

And so it has proved.

The newly-promoted Sydenhams Premier runners-up have taken the Evo-Stik South & West by storm, hammering in 19 goals in their first four games.

Marlow were the latest to come under the cosh, thrashed 6-1 at the Denplan City Ground on Wednesday night.

Manager Masters, who missed the first three matches while on holiday, was almost lost for words after seeing at first-hand just what his side were capable of.

“We’re flying,” he said. “We’ve started really well.

“I’d been trying to judge what the other sides in this league would be like and, at the moment, we seem to be washing them away.

“I did say that I felt this side would be suited to playing higher. It’s just the way we play.”

Masters, though, knows Winchester’s ability will count for nothing if they let their work-rate drop.

“To be fair, all the boys have been working really hard and, as long as they keep doing that, we won’t be too far away,” he said.

“Everyone is 100 per cent behind each other but, if the lads start thinking it’s easy, we will get found out.”

Even without holidaying nine-goal striker Warren Bentley, City completely overwhelmed Marlow with goals by Adam ‘Taz’ Roberts, Zach Glasspool (2), George Short, Rob Flooks and Adam Tomasso.

Influential defender Leigh Mills is unavailable for Saturday's trip to Evesham United, along with Bentley, but Jamie Thoroughgood comes straight back in after missing Wednesday’s game.

“We’ve got 16 players who are like for like really, so we’re not too bothered about changes because it keeps everyone involved,” said Masters.

“(Full-back) Danny King, who’s been out injured for a year, has come back nice and strong and was brilliant against Marlow, but we might give him a bit of rest in the near future because we don’t want to put too much pressure on him too early. We put Adam Tomasso on the bench on Wednesday and he came on and scored.”

Although Winchester’s super-charged start will no doubt be attributed to their budget, Masters said: “It’s not really changed from the Wessex League. Sometimes in football you just get a bit of luck and we’ve had (midfielder) George Short come in and do well and (full-back) Jake Newton’s been outstanding. It’s not come easy, though. The lads put in a lot of hard work in pre-season.”

City are third in the table, two points off joint leaders North Leigh and Taunton Town who have each banked four straight wins.