Uppingham Town beat Tydd in the Peterborough League Premier Division

A dominant first half performance laid the foundations for Uppingham Town's home triumph over Tydd on Saturday.

The reigning Peterborough League Premier Division champions scored three times without reply in the opening period of the match at Tod's Piece.

Tydd did pull a goal back after the break before Town wrapped up their win with a fourth strike late on.

Uppingham had started well and took the lead after 15 minutes when Sam Blackwell's cross was headed home from eight yards by Noah Sinclair.

The lead was doubled just past the midway mark of the first half as Blackwell won possession and sent Josh Porter away down the left.

Porter crossed and, although Billy Henshaw's side-footed volley was saved by the keeper from 12 yards, he fired home the rebound.

A third goal followed on the half-hour mark as Sinclair ran past two defenders in the box and squared the ball from the byline for Porter to finish.

Tydd came close to cutting the deficit after the break when they hit the post with a shot following a cross from the left before Blackwell raced clear for Uppingham but his effort was saved by the visiting goalkeeper and then cleared.

The visitors opened their account with 10 minutes remaining when a free-kick into the box wasn't cleared and Kai Scott-Henson poked home from 10 yards.

However, Town had restored their three-goal advantage within five minutes as Harry Bains sent Blackwell away down the left and he cut in and finished in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

It was Bains' first start for two years following knee surgery and his return capped a solid start to the new year for Paul Sheehan's side.

The Uppingham manager said: "I was pleased with the three points and especially the first 30 minutes of the match.

"It's always difficult fitness wise after the Christmas break when you are unable to train and you have not played for three weeks but we looked sharp and dominated the game in the first half.

"It was more even in the second half and Tydd came into it. We did look a little leggy at the end but it's to be expected.

"Harry played very well in first start for two years and it's good to get him back."

Uppingham travel to Sawtry this weekend.