MANCHESTER COUNTY CUP ROUND ONE

MANCHESTER MACCABI 1st 9 ROYAL OAK 1

Maccabi, who won the prestigious trophy in 2016, have made a flying start to life under Michael Sacks as they look to bring silverware back to Brooklands.

Sam Hatton forced a good early save from the Royal Oak keeper, only to see the ball cannon off his centre-half into the goal to put Maccabi ahead.

Hatton doubled and quickly trebled Maccabi's lead, after a fantastic pass from poster-boy Basso.

The yellows started the second half like the first, on the front foot, frustrating the opposition through keeping the ball for minutes on end.

Maccabi had the luxury of five substitutes who all came on to add some extra energy, and quality. Jamie Green grabbed the fourth within minutes of coming on, before another substitute, Jason Hamburger, was taken down in the box winning a penalty, dispatched confidently by Sacks.

Maccabi weren't done, especially Jacob Huller. With a point to prove, Huller scored a quick fire hat-trick, the last of which was a Berbatov-esque volley, after David Herman's clearance.

Jake Kelly also got himself on the score-sheet to top off a great morning for the yellow and blue.

Manager Michael Sacks was once again full of praise for his players: "We are getting into the habit of killing games off early, which is a fantastic quality to have.

"I keep saying to the boys that it's a squad game and today was a perfect example of this as all five substitutes played their part. They put the disappointment of not starting behind them and affected the game positively; even Carl Peters with his extra small short-sleeved shirt.

"I hope the boys fast well and come back raring to go ahead of a massive game against Manchester Rovers next Sunday."