Stamford Bels maintained their impressive run of form by overcoming a tricky test against Crowland Reserves on Saturday.

The 8-0 victory was Bels' fourth successive Peterborough League Division One win and moved them up to second spot behind leaders Wittering Premiair.

Bels have now scored 19 goals in their last four league wins while only conceding once.

They started with a quick tempo on Saturday which caused Crowland problems from the off.

The hosts broke the deadlock after 10 minutes when Scott Toomey lifted the ball over the Crowland keeper's head for the in-form Josh Randall to run on to and fire home.

The same combination then linked up again when a Toomey through ball found Randall who made no mistake by putting the ball into the stanchion to double Bels' lead.

The home side were then hit by an injury blow when new signing Sean Kelly suffered a hamstring injury which will put him out for a number of weeks.

He was replaced by Kieran Duffy-Weekes on his return from suspension and he made an instant impact by firing the ball into the roof of the net just minutes after coming on to give Bels a three-goal interval lead.

Bels refused to sit back after the break and they continued to impress.

Player-boss Lewis Morley was bought down on the edge of the area and Alfie Winters stepped up and fired the fourth goal into the top corner.

Toomey then found Randall again and he completed his second hat-trick in three weeks with a wonderful solo run and smart finish.

Bels made it six when Morley was brought down in the area and Dave Atkinson stepped up and made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Two other substitutes were then quick to make their mark as Sam Jordan's pass slotted Glenn Spearink through to fire home.

The scoring was then rounded off by a fourth assist for Toomey whose cross was met by Jordan's bullet header.

Bels goalkeeper Keenan Murphy then ensured his third clean sheet in four games with a superb save at the death.

Manager Morley commented: "We were superb again.

"We knew that we were in for another physical battle against Crowland as they are always a tough side to come up against.

"But Randall and Toomey were different class and, when they are on their game, they are unplayable.

"We have looked brilliant defensively and to get three clean sheets in four weeks in this league is a huge achievement.

"Sean's injury is a big blow for us but hopefully we can get him back as soon as possible. Having Kieran return though will lift the side massively in a run of tough games.

"We have been superb on and off the pitch recently. The group of lads we have all click and the squad depth is massive for us. To have the quality we do from one to 16 each week is really showing.

"We are away at Warboys on Saturday which will be tough. They have had a strong start to the season and hopefully we can continue our good form."

Bels Reserves rounded off a good day for the club with an excellent 3-1 away win at Peterborough Polonia in their Division Two match on Saturday.

Sam Ford, Dave Wagstaff and Josh Dowell scored the goals for Bels' second string.

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Stamford Bels were 8-0 winners against Crowland Reserves on Saturday. Photo: Alan Walters (42754224)