Saltash United launched their Carlsberg South West Peninsula League season with an emphatic victory over promoted Millbrook at Jenkins Park on Tuesday night.

Any hopes that the home side would mark their return to the premier division with three points were virtually dashed by the 11th minute as the Ashes established a two-goal lead with a breathtaking start.

Sam Hughes opened the scoring seven minutes into the game with a close range finish after Millbrook failed to deal with a period of pressure and Lewis Russell was on hand to fire home from 15 yards after Dave Trott’s corner had been flicked on.

It was great credit to Millbrook’s hard-working players that there were no further goals before half-time and at 2-0 there remained a chance they could bounce back in the second half.

But those hopes ended only three minutes after the restart as central defender Callum O’Brien, up for a free kick, bundled the ball high into the net from inside the six yard box.

Millbrook did get a goal back in the 65th minute with a stunning volley by Ryan Knight but Saltash continued to pile on the pressure and O’Brien’s second goal – this time a superb left foot volley from 15 yards – completed the scoring.

Millbrook: C Wearing, D Chapman, S Morcom, J Wood, Z Pearce, J Richards, R Shepherd, T Payne, L Kershaw, L Thornton, J Knight. Subs: Cooke, Murray, Dart, Toulson, Foster.

Saltash: R Rickard, D Barker, C Martindale, L Russell, C O’Brien, D Trott, R Maddison, H Wilson, S Hughes, R Richards, D Lewis. Subs used: S Farrant, C Summerfield, B Holter. Subs not used: S Sargison, S Cleary.

Referee: Adrian Clements.

Attendance: 110.

In other SWPL premier division games on Tuesday night, title favourites Tavistock were held to a 2-2 draw at Godolphin Atlantic, while Camelford hammered Sticker 7-1 at Trefrew Road.

In a friendly, Launceston beat Liskeard 3-2 at Lux Park.