HOLLAND FC joint-boss Rob Batten has hailed his miserly defenders - as well as the front men who plundered double figures at the weekend.

Rob Thorne smashed four in a 10-0 drubbing of Leiston Reserves, in a Thurlow Nunn League division one contest at the Rush Green Bowl.

The attacking players understandably hogged the limelight, with Josh Dillion contributing two and further goals from Terry Rymer, Joe Martin, Steve Eaton and Billy Wales.

However, while delighted with such a landslide win, Batten was also keen to flag up the contribution of his defenders, who have kept three clean sheets from three matches so far.

"Overall, our start to the season has been very positive," said the joint-manager, who runs the side with Glenn Cowen.

"With the players we've got, we expect to be doing reasonably well.

"Even so, we were stepping into the unknown in terms of playing in a new league so to start with seven points and three clean sheets has been very pleasing.

"The most important thing was getting the defence right, though.

"I know you can't read too much into pre-season but we conceded some silly, sloppy goals and that disappointed us.

"Since then we appear to have made massive improvement, though.

"We've really tightened up, which is great because with the goal-power in our side we know we should do well at the other end of the pitch."

Batten admitted his side could have scored even more than 10 against a young, shell-shocked Leiston side.

"It could have been 15 or 16," he said.

"Rob scored four and he's a brilliant finisher.

"But Terry (Rymer), who scored one but worked so hard throughout, grazed the bar straight from the kick-off.

"We could have been in front within a few seconds and that set the theme for the afternoon."

Holland, who won 2-0 at Debenham LC on the opening day of the season and then drew 0-0 at Cornard United, were due to visit Woodbridge Town last night before hosting Downham Town at the Bowl on Saturday.

They then finish August with another home game, against AFC Sudbury Reserves, before travelling to Stanway Rovers for a eagerly-awaited League Challenge Cup tie.

"Rome wasn't built in a day but we're certainly on the right lines," added Batten, whose side were third in the table after their mammoth win on Saturday.

"We've recruited well during the summer and the spirit is fantastic.

"As a club, we've been too much to get carried away but as long as we're competitive in every game, we believe we can have a very good season together."

Holland are embarking on their first season at step six level, having won promotion from the Essex and Suffolk Border League.