SEVEN goals in the first half put Moor Green Academy in full control of their Midland League Division Two encounter with Bolehall Swifts.
The 8-1 home victory continued the Academy’s unbeaten start, putting them six points clear of second-placed Knowle as a result.
Costas Lautaru struck a hat-trick in the space of 24 first-half minutes, firing his first when putting away a rebound from Miracle Okafor’s early effort.
The lead was doubled a minute later when Gerrard Sam headed home, while Lautaru added his second from Arman Khooshkoo’s cut-back.
Okafor was next on the scoresheet, ensuring that each of the front men had a goal to their name when holding off a defender, nudging the ball into a yard of space before picking out the corner of the net in style.
Lautaru wrapped up his hat-trick when latching onto Harry Eden’s pinpoint through-ball and firing home.
A lapse in concentration by goalkeeper Abidan Edwards led to a Bolehall spot-kick with the rebound being put away by Josh Houghton.
Okafor added a second while Dylon Bennett made it 7-1 before the break, setting up for a straightforward second half.
With the Academy easing off, Kieron Berry struck the only goal of the second half to wrap up Moors’ ninth win of the season.
Knowle are the visitors in Saturday’s Smedley Crooke Memorial Cup tie (3pm).
