WESSEX title favourites Sholing demonstrated their awesome firepower with a 9-0 dismantling of Division One underdogs US Portsmouth in the Sydenhams League Cup.

Despite heavy pressure, Dave Diaper’s Boatmen led by just a Lee Wort goal at half-time in Friday’s first-round tie at the Silverlake Arena.

But there was no stopping the former Southern League club after the break as Wort and Ashley Jarvis hit second-half hat-tricks.

Wort was taking his goal tally to ten in just seven days after hat-tricks in pre-season friendlies against Cowes Sports and AFC Totton.

As for Jarvis, he was making his competitive debut for Sholing after a summer switch from Wessex Premier rivals Folland.

Kev Brewster and Mike Carter chipped in with one apiece to book a home tie against Tadley Calleva in round two.

“We really should have done better in the first half, but their goalkeeper played well,” said Diaper.

“But once we got the second goal, there was no holding us.

“What pleased me is that the players kept their heads.

“They could easily have got frustrated after creating ten or 11 opportunities in the first half but only scoring once.

“But we played some good stuff and I was impressed with how the players kept at it.”

Frighteningly for the opposition, Diaper says Sholing are not yet firing on all cylinders.

“We’ve still got (central defender) Pete Castle out injured and there were a couple of players carrying knocks on Friday. We’re gradually getting our match fitness, but we won’t be the true Sholing for another three or four weeks,” he said.

“Worty could have scored seven or eight on his own and the same for Jarvo, but the whole team played well and everyone was a nine out of ten.”

Diaper will be looking for more of the same tomorrow when Romsey Town visit in the league.