Rampaging Bovingdon scored nine to go nine points clear at the top of the Herts Senior County League as a mouthwatering display ended with a 9-2 victory over a previously in-form Knebworth side.

The league leaders were in clinical mood from the outset and by half-time had opened up a 6-0 lead, leaving manager Lee Bircham to hail “as good a 45 minutes as I’ve had as a manger to date”.

After scoring two more in the second half, the Green Lane side blotted their copybook by letting their opponents score twice, but the victory – coupled with second-placed Letchworth Garden City Eagles’ 2-1 defeat at Chipperfield Corinthians – further strengthened Bovingdon’s vice-like grip on top spot.

“We were right at it from the start,” Bircham enthused. “We were focused and clinical. We looked like we could score at will whilst also looking solid at the back.”

But Knebworth’s two goals irritated the Bovingdon boss, who admitted he was “livid” his side conceded.

“We switched off in terms of work rate and got punished,” he admitted. “It won’t be a bad thing to remind the boys of this so they don’t let their work rate drop in future games.”

Courtney Massay opened Bovingdon’s account in the 14th minute and this was soon doubled by Stefan Bailey.

An Ed Canham brace increased the hosts’ advantage to four, captain Matt Standen dispatched a penalty for the fifth and playmaker Will Summerfield completed the first-half blitz.

Kaan Fehmi made it seven with a debut goal within 60 seconds of joining the fray and Standen notched his second, before the visitors struck twice.

But Standen made sure a very good day for his side finished on a high by completing his hat-trick.

The Premier Division leaders were kept on their toes with a friendly at Edgware Town on Wednesday which ended in a 2-2 draw.