JOHN Edwards admitted he could only sympathise with opponents Lane Head after Studley rattled up a record-breaking 15-0 hammering in midweek.
Four goals from Odane Barnes and hat-tricks from Luke Dugmore and sub Dale Edwards plus further strikes from Dan Carter (2), Lewis Marston, Aaron Bunn and Sean Cooke helped the Bees demolish the Midland League Division Two to progress in the Smedley Crooke Memorial Charity Cup on Tuesday night.
Joint boss Edwards felt they could have scored more – and it followed what he described as their best 90 minute performance of the season in defeating Ashby Ivanhoe.
And the goal spree has left Studley in upbeat mood for Saturday’s top-six clash at home to Atherstone Town as Studley seek a seventh win in a row in the Midland League Division One.
“Our league form has been really good but we stressed to the lads on Tuesday that we had slipped up in two midweek cup competitions,” said Edwards.
“We needed to step it up and we did that. It finished 15-0 but it could have been more. Even in Sunday football, I’ve never been involved or seen a bigger win.
“Fair play to Lane Head, they gave it a real go and they kept going. I felt sorry for them at the end. We played well but we also took our chances.
“Last Saturday at Ashby, we had to defend well and we did that. “They are a good side and they are going to be up there. We scored early, then soaked up their pressure and posed a threat on the counter-attack.
“It was probably our best performance of the season. We had to be as professional as possible over 90 minutes.”
Sean Cooke scored the only goal at Ashby inside five minutes and the victory left Studley in sixth place, and just three points behind leaders Brocton. They sit one point and one place ahead of Atherstone but Edwards admits a change in manager for the Adders will have an impact on Saturday’s clash.
Ivor Green stepped down at the start of the week, leaving captain Joe Obi in charge.
“Saturday is a massive game for us and we’re looking forward to it,” said Edwards.
“Atherstone will have a new manager in place after Ivor Green resigned. It can go one way or the other – there could be a bit of disruption or they good pull together.
“They are a quality side so we will need to be at our best.”
The Bees are set to include new signing Reece Staley for the first time to face the Adders.
The 19-year-old left-back has joined from FC Stratford and his arrival will add more competition and allow Matt Edwards, who has been playing at full-back, to return to central midfield.
“Reece has been our radar for some time,” said Edwards. “He is 19 and is highly thought off. He has certainly impressed with what he has shown in training so far. He will be involved on Saturday.”
Striker Harvey Smith, who has missed the last two matches, is the main injury doubt as the Bees’ injury list has started to ease.
He has been having treatment for an ankle problem – Smith had missed the second half of last season with ankle injury – and the Bees will be cautious.
