HIGHGATE have made the perfect start to the new season after claiming back-to-back wins from their opening two Midland League Premier Division fixtures.
A near flawless display from Highgate saw them begin the new campaign in convincing style by beating Quorn 3-0 on Saturday.
Goals from Lei Brown, Shane Benjamin and Tyrone Smith gave the visitors a perfect start in a match that Gate dominated from start to finish.
The breakthrough came three minutes before the break when Nathan Edgington’s shot was saved but Brown was on-hand to pounce and fire home the rebound.
Despite their total dominance it took until the 77th minute for the visitors to score a second. Brown did well to control Lacey’s 77th minute pass out of defence and he slipped the ball through for Benjamin to race on and beat Thacker with consummate ease.
And five minutes from time Smith bagged the third and final goal when he finished off a surging 25-yard run with a crisp shot which was out of the goalkeeper’s reach to complete a fine afternoon’s work for Gate.
On Tuesday night Highgate had to work hard to beat Walsall Wood 2-1 at home.
Brown had given his side a two-goal lead but the visitors came back strongly to pull a goal back after 70 minutes, ensuring a nervous last 20 minutes for the hosts.
Highgate were on top for much of the opening period but they had to wait five minutes before half-time before breaking the deadlock.
Brown continued his aerial dominance throughout to head Tom Lacey’s free kick from wide on the right beyond keeper Mariusz Kisiel’s reach.
The visitors upped their game after the break but somewhat against the run of play found themselves further in arrears when substitute Tyrone Smith’s persistence in the box earned a 61st minute penalty, which was tucked away by Brown in confident fashion.
Wood looked the better side after the break and after Joey Butlin and Charlton Davies went close with efforts fired over the bar, centre half Josh O’Garra reduced the arrears with a free header off Chad Deeville-Cross’ corner kick.
The visitors continued to huff and puff but without further success and Gate were content to play the clock down to ensure another victory in the bag.
