Worksop Town set their 2020/21 campaign off to a dream start on Saturday as they put in a rampant showing to thrash Loughborough Dynamo 6-2 at Sandy Lane.

A goal from Luke Hinsley and an unfortunate own-goal, coupled with Vaughan Redford’s four strikes were enough to push Worksop across the line as Loughborough’s valiant comeback wore on. 

The opening exchanges promised an exciting tie as both teams tested the goalkeepers very early on. Mikey Dunn set to work immediately, showing tremendous ball control as he weaved through the defenders with his tricky feet. His early effort forced goalkeeper Thomas Oliver into a diving save.

Worksop found the breakthrough after just nine minutes when Jack Greenhough’s teasing cross was met by the hotly-in-form Vaughan Redford. Redford nodded home well at the near post, leaving Oliver rooted to the centre of his goal.

The Tigers pressed on, with the majority of possession being worked beautifully down the left wing by Connor Smythe and Mikey Dunn.

Loughborough could have pulled level when Evan Garnett got the better of Jake Picton and bore down, one-on-one, on Seb Malkowski’s goal. Polish international Malkowski got down excellently to thwart an equaliser.

Their pressure paid dividends when the lead was doubled in the 23rd minute. Greenhough launched his trademark long throw-in towards the crowded penalty area, and an unsuspecting Oliver was caught off guard by a touch from his defender. Redford anticipated the rebound well and was on the scene to smash the ball into the roof of the net.

Worksop dominated until half time. With Dynamo limited to the just the occasional break-away, the Tigers kept the ball moving quickly as they worked towards a third goal. Brace-scorer Redford worked tirelessly off the ball to find the space to add to his tally, but he could not get the better of Oliver for a third time.

Luke Hinsley netted the third of the afternoon when his header was fumbled by the goalkeeper and spilt into the corner of the goal. An own goal brought about the fourth goal of Worksop’s rampant afternoon.

The visitors pulled one back shortly after the restart through the head of Alex Steadman. Awarded a free-kick wide on the right flank, the ball was swung neatly on to Steadman, whose glancing header slipped beyond Malkowski and nestled in the inside netting at the far post.

The deficit was reduced again ten minutes later when midfielder Jack Smith turned in a shot at the back post.

Worksop jolted back into top gear straight after, and they began to work the ball with intent. Delightful play on the right-wing handed the ball to Redford, who was cyclically brought down after executing a brilliant turn. He stepped up and converted the resulting spot-kick.

Just minutes later the four-goal lead was restored, again from the penalty spot. Hinsley had danced his way around the goalkeeper before being brought down. Again, Redford stepped up; this time smashing the ball high into the top-right corner.

The win serves as the perfect continuation to a very positive pre-season, and it sees Worksop sit in third position in the Northern Premier League’s South East Division.

Attendance: 339
Goalscorers: Vaughan Redford (9’, 23’, 68’, 72’), Luke Hinsley (42’), Own Goal (45); Alex Steadman (56’), Jack Smith (62’)

Worksop Town: Sebastian Malkowski (Kian Johnson), Jack Greenhough, Connor Smythe, Jack Broadhead, Jake Picton, Oscar Radford (Charlie Jemson), James Baxendale, Cody Cromack (Scott Brown), Luke Hinsley, Vaughan Redford, Mikey Dunn
Unused subs: Deegan Atherton, Harry Holland