IF MOTTISFONT's performances of late have been of the stuttering nature, their victory last Saturday was a return to what they are capable of.

In a competitive and thoroughly entertaining match, Font produced perhaps their best display of the season against a side that had not lost since before Christmas.

Not only did the visitors from Portsmouth play their part, but so did Eastleigh referee Mr G Smith, who allowed the match to be contested without producing any cards but still showing his authority.

Mottisfont were reinforced with the return of several key players, but still missing leading scorer Alan Bundy with a back injury.

Manager Martyn Thomas decided to move Mike Burgess up into a striker's role, and that paid dividends.

Not only did Burgess head Font into the lead after 15 minutes from a Nigel Cutler corner, but his close control and vision proved a handful for the East Lodge defence.

It was another corner just before the interval that brought Font's second goal. Burgess was again the marksman when he scored direct from a flag kick from the right to put the home side firmly in control.

Five minutes after the restart, Burgess and then fellow striker Ian Bradwell both wasted good chances to sew up the result as the East Lodge keeper foiled both attempts.

The match was far from one-sided, and the visitors were proving it was not over yet. But the Font defence were looking more sound than they had in recent weeks and, with

Paul Fielder handling the ball well, they managed to keep the threat of an East Lodge comeback to a minimum.

Midway through the half, Font put the match beyond doubt when Burgess again unselfishly passed to Bradwell, who was in space. Although his shot was saved, it fell to Bradwell again; he made no mistake the second time.

While the result seemed a foregone conclusion, the play remained interesting, with East Lodge still persevering in hope of perhaps salvaging a point. Just before the final whistle, Nigel Cutler capped a fine display when he drove home a fierce free kick for Font's fourth goal, sealing an impressive all-round team performance.