IVER Heath Rovers hosted Chalvey Sports Reserves in what turned out to be a nine-goal rout on Saturday, prompting early title talk for Tim Thorpe’s side.

The first 20 minutes were remarkably even considering the final score, with both sides failing to take their chances.

Iver forward Ben White’s misses in particular were met with jeers from Chalvey, whom he had represented just once before returning promptly to Rovers, his club for the last two seasons.

Thorpe’s side pulled away quickly with braces from Mandeep Rai and James Donovan – the later normally an attacker but playing in midfield.

White’s ultimately polished performance saw him claim a hat-trick, much to opposition dismay.

Andrew Hodgkins and Matthew Warner added to Chalvey’s misery, all players keen to stand out in a large squad that rotates five players per week.

Thorpe remains hopeful that this system does not disturb any rhythm in the long term, with many now suggesting Iver could be favourites to win the Premier Division.

“Players must fight for their place every week,” said Thorpe. But without wishing to sound arrogant he regards the group as his strongest ever and would be “very disappointed not to win the division”.

The man in charge ensured that the result was no fluke. He said: “We are a very good side, playing on a huge pitch. Teams that fail to score early on will find it hard to survive the later minutes here.

“We’re away to Langley this Saturday for a derby, so we will be playing for pride also."

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