U's:4 Salisbury:0

Last week in my match report I commented on Courtney's girly tights, which I may have insinuated were "not a particularly fetching look for a bloke."

I hope my words weren't a contributory factor to his goal celebration yesterday, during which he proved his, er, manhood by pulling down his shorts to reveal a pair of Stephen Ireland-esque Superman pants. Fortunately I wasn't close enough to assess just how manly the winger is, but by all accounts it was quite an, um, impressive sight.

The Pittster's goal put a satisfying gloss on a dominant performance from United, albeit against a fairly woeful Salisbury side. The Whites' house of cards has come crashing down this season, with the withdrawal of major backers exposing a fanbase and infrastructure unable to sustain football at this level. Histon take note perhaps.

On the pitch, things are so bad that they've been forced into signing Danny Webb who, at the age of 25, is already firmly in the "journeyman" category. His partner up front was another ex-U, Charles Ademeno, and it seems a shame that, after a couple of injury-hit years for the Southend youngster, their careers have converged. Hopefully Charles will go on to fulfill his promise at a higher level.

Salisbury have lost a few defenders as well, and it was soon apparent that, to put it politely, they're not the best when it comes to dealing with set pieces. An early United corner almost saw a training ground routine executed to perfection, with Challinor making a late, unmarked, run into the box, but seeing his looping header float wide of the far post.

To be fair to visitors, they were at least having a go at winning the match, backed by 45 vocal travelling fans. Ademeno's pace is still a threat, but they didn't really trouble Danny Potter, and the nearest to scoring they came was from a corner which was flicked across goal and wide by Herring.

And once United went in front there was only ever going to be one winner. Tonkin launched a long throw in from the left, Coulson and then Holroyd flicked the ball on, and there was Robbie Willmott to climb above his marker and nod into the net. Hurrah, 1-0.

Pitt curled a free kick over the bar, and had a goal ruled out for offside, while Farrell shot wide from 20 yards and had an effort blocked by a diving defender after a terrific passing move involving Tonkin and Pitt.

Usually in this situation the Brabinator's men go on to miss a hatful of chances before nervously closing out a 1-0 win, but on this occasion we doubled our advantage within five minutes of the restart. The electrifying Willmott accelerated away down the right, cut inside his marker, and looped in a cross for Holroyd. His header was brilliantly parried by James Bittner, but the rebound ran nicely to Rendell, who doesn't miss when presented with an open goal. All we want for Christmas is you Scotty, as Mariah Carey may have said. 2-0.

Holroyd was enjoying another good showing, and shot just wide shortly afterwards, while Rendell saw a header flash over the bar, and have an effort ruled out for offside. But we didn't have to wait to long for goal number three, and it was a deserved second of the season for young Chris. We got a corner on the right, and again Salisbury failed to pick up Challinor's late burst into the box. This time his header had a bit more elevation on it, and Holroyd was able to turn the ball in from close range.

Three became four moments later, when Tonkin put in another good long throw, which was helped on by Carden to the Pittster, who poked the ball home from close range, provoking the shorts-less celebration.

We probably should have gone on to get a couple more, with Pitt, Holroyd, and substitute Beesley all being denied by Bittner. The best chance came right at the end, and fell to Willmott, who pounced on a short back pass, but with only the keeper to beat, shot wide. Oh well, never mind.

So yeah, a nice convincing win ahead of the sterner challenges to come. We shouldn't get too carried away, as Salisbury were pretty dire, but we have looked like a much more effective unit in the last three or four games, and that can only be a good thing. The return of Rendell and Pitt has made such a difference, and I think Farrell gives us a bit of extra steel in the middle of the park which is lacking when Convery or Challinor are in there with Carden. It's all coming together nicely anyway, bring on the Villagers.

Man of the Match: Chris Holroyd - Always on the move, and capped a second successive excellent performance with a deserved goal.

Fashion Statement of the Match II: Although I never ever want to see them again in any circumstances, the pants are much better than the tights Courtney.