Uppingham Town score five goals in the second half to defeat Tydd in Peterborough League Premier Division clash

A five-star second half showing helped maintain Uppingham Town's early season place among the front-runners in the Peterborough League Premier Division.

Ryan Hunnings' side hit five goals without reply in the second period of Saturday's home clash with Tydd at Tods Piece.

The success was their fifth win from six league games this season and keeps second-placed Town just a point adrift of unbeaten table-toppers Moulton Harrox.

They had been frustrated by a workmanlike Tydd side in the opening period before turning on the style after the break.

Hunnings said: "Tydd gave it everything in the first half. They were hard to break down and really made it difficult for us.

"They were really well organised, but we got a goal early in the second half and that really gave us the impetus to accelerate away.

"The lads went up a couple of gears after the break and Tydd did tire after all the effort they had put in the first half."

Town could have broken the deadlock in the opening period when they were awarded a penalty following a foul on Will Thomas.

However, James Howe saw his spot kick superbly saved by the Tydd goalkeeper to ensure the first half finished goalless.

But Howe soon made amends early in the second period when he finished off a well-worked move with a shot into the bottom corner.

Callum O'Berg then thought he had doubled Town's lead when he headed home from a free-kick only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.

Town didn't have to wait much longer for their second goal though as Jordan Spencer, who had been pushed forward from full-back in a half-time switch, broke down the right wing and crossed for Dill Mullineaux to lay the ball into the path of top scorer Rob Forster who clinically converted.

Corey Wildman then got his first league goal for Town to make it three when he finished off a polished corner routine at the back post.

O'Berg, after having four goals disallowed already this season, then finally had one count for Town's fourth with a fine first-time finish.

Skipper Howe then completed the scoring with Town's second penalty of the match after Forster had been fouled, smashing home his spot kick off the underside of the bar.

Hunnings added: "Our second half performance was dominant.

"We were not 100 per cent at the races in the first half, but that was more down to Tydd who were superb.

"They made it hard to play, kept the game compact and didn't let Rob Forster get in behind them."

Town are now on their travels at the weekend when they visit fourth-placed Thorney in what Hunnings feels will be a real test of their credentials.

He continued: "We wanted to start September on a high after a really good August and we've done that.

"The lads are really buying into what we're saying though and want to push us forward. They want to keep the run going.

"We've been quite lucky to have the core of the side there every week, but that's down to the players making themselves available.

"The atmosphere is really good, but we know the game at Thorney on Saturday will be a big test.

"We didn't pass our last test against Peterborough North End Sports so we need to show that we can compete with the sides at the top of the division."

Uppingham: Hubbard, Spencer, Bains, Dumford, Henshaw, Howe, Mullineaux, O'Berg, Thomas, Wildman, Forster. Subs used: Cleaver, Dalby, Lacey.