After last weeks indifferent performance against Ryton in the Longhorn Hardware Stan Seymor League Cup (phew!) it was crucial that the 1st's got back to winning ways, but more importantly a display of passion and competitiveness was in order. The pre-match talk was of a desire to stand up and be counted, with team manager Alan reminding players that no-one is guaranteed a place in the starting line up unless they deliver on the pitch.

With those choice words ringing in their ears the 1st's responded magnificently. The early kick off seemed to work against the Eastend Railway lads who were completely blown away when scoring ace Danny Sherwood fired in a rasping shot from the edge of the penalty box in the first five minutes of the game. This majestic strike set the tone for the remainder of the match with the first's producing a display of incisive passing and excellent running.

It became quite clear from the outset that the Eastend Railway lads were going to adopt the old Geordie past-time of "kick the students". This together with perhaps the weakest and most inconsistent referee we have had all season made sure that the game was not allowed to pass incident free.

Bohs completely dominated the first half, especially in midfield and up-front. Mercer, Hall and Mullen showed great spirit and competitive edge as they out-muscled and out-thought their aggressive opponents. Neil Hindley busied himself in the middle of the park and proved to be a constant target for the two footed lunges and off the ball swipes. The 'pest', as he is affectionately known responded well to the challenge in the first half when he delivered an inch perfect cross from the left hand side of the box onto the head of Hall, who from ten yards out rose above his marker and made it 2-0 before the ¼ hour mark.

As their blood boiled and their behaviour deteriorated, the Eastend lads thought it outrageous that they were losing so convincingly to a team from the division below them. Despite huffing and puffing they could not break down the Bohs defence and were reduced to shooting lamely from distance. These efforts made sure that goalkeeper Hepburn could practice his goalkicking but apart from that was left largely unchallenged.

Bohs third goal came from another free kick from Hindley. He put the ball in a difficult area for the Railway defence who failed to clear effectively. The ball fell to Brown who lashed his shot high into the net, leaving many Railway players bemused and wishing maybe they had stayed in bed or perhaps not have requested a day-release from their anger-management courses!!

There was just enough time in the first half to allow man of the match Thompson to get on the score sheet. His electrifying pace made a mockery of the Railway defence who could not get near him all game. After skipping over desperate lunges he managed to compose himself when confronted by the goalkeeper and slotted the ball neatly in the corner.

This outstanding team performance was slightly tarnished by two yellow cards for Hall and Alexander who despite polite protestations had their names put into the book for "offensive comments" (Hall) and "deliberate obstruction" (Alexander). This meant that they had to be careful not to be drawn into any silly altercations for the duration of the match, a task easier said than done.

The second half started much the same as the first with Bohs hammering another nail into the Railway coffin, when Garnett's very own 'runaway train' Thompson burst clear and scampered to the edge of the box. Thompson then cut the ball back into the path of Sherwood who slotted for the fifth. The Eastend Railway lads simply had no answer to this masterful performance.

Dave Cave replaced Mullen at half time, who came off with an injured backside. The official comment stated that it was caused by a stray knee however, rumours have surfaced that it was indeed caused by their right back who was determined to stick some part of his body in someone all match. It was for a good cause Dave lad!

Mistimed tackles and outright thuggery oozed throughout the Eastend railway team, who finally came "off the rails" during an incident where Brown was fouled from behind on the edge of the box and was then punched as he was on the deck. The referee, who was seemingly watching the grass grow and not the match did nothing in the way of making any real decision and took the easy way out by awarding a free kick rather than anything more appropriate.

From the resulting free kick, delivered with precision once again from the outstanding Hindley, Sherwood was able to head home from six yards and completed a well-earned hat-trick. His joy was self-evident when with his arms raised aloft he proclaimed what is rapidly becoming his trade mark celebration of "Get in there!!!!" Perhaps the perfect retribution.

The rout was completed late in the second half through a well worked passing movement with Buckley (replacing Thompson) as the fulcrum. He linked well with Hall to slice through the now weary defence of the Railway team and cut the ball back to the on hand Sherwood who tapped in for number seven.

As the final whistle blew the Railway players left the pitch without shaking many of the hands of the victorious Bohs. However, the 'pest' (Hindley) was still making friends and influencing people when the "fat, bald git" as he was labelled was invited to take a shower after the match by one of the Railway players in particular. However, Hindley declined the kind offer preferring the lure of his own shower after being slightly unnerved by the glint in his eye!

Team: F.Hepburn, M.Brown 1, M.Menton, D.Mercer, A.Alexander , S.Cavanagh © (MoM), J.Hall 1, N..Hindley, D.Sherwood 4, J.Thompson 1 (MoM)(M.Buckley), D.Mullen (D.Cave)