Devonshire Colts 1

Hamilton Parish 4

Premier Division newboys Hamilton Parish were just too hot for sluggish Devonshire Colts who were rocked by a sizzling hat-trick from Jamie Smith at BAA Field on Saturday night.

Colts looked shell-shocked after finding themselves two goals down by the 11th minute with Hot Peppers striker Smith causing a plethora of problems. His first goal came via a 30-yard free kick that goalkeeper Khabir Dill somehow allowed to squirm under his body, while Smith's second saw him slot home from close range.

Ray Jones' side eventually showed some resolve and reduced their deficit after the break through Ryan Nesbitt with a neat finish. But there was to be no comeback as Parish struck again through the superb Kaiya Darrell with a bullet header from a corner kick. Smith then completed the rout late on when he outpaced the Colts defence and coolly fired into the net.

Parish coach Mark Jennings said his side were well worth their convincing win and had controlled the match throughout.

"We earned this victory and the players worked tremendously hard," said Jennings, who replaced Meshach Wade during the off-season.

"It's been about five seasons since we were last in the top division and we're going to have to fight and scrap in every game if we intend to stay here.

"I'm extremely proud of my players tonight and to score four times in the opening game of the season was fantastic."

While Smith will deservedly take the superlatives, it was the performance of Hot Peppers' defence that would have probably buoyed Jennings the most. Solid, compact and organised, Parish reduced Colts' talisman Aljame Zuill to a virtual spectator with 'keeper Nigel Burgess rarely troubled.

Conversely, Colts' backline seemed shaky and lacking in communication while Jones' men showed little in the way of attacking invention either. Phil Anderson did toil away in midfield and Sean Perinchief was unfortunate not to have won Colts a penalty when it appeared he was scythed down inside the box.

"Jamie (Smith) was excellent for us," added a delighted Jennings. "We played as a tight unit and the defence did an excellent job. I'm still not happy about our fitness levels and that's something we need to work on"

Devonshire Colts: K.Dill, J.Williams, E.Wilkin, J.Butterfield, O.Ray, W.Ming (B.Robinson 71 mins), T.Foote, R.Nesbitt, P.Anderson, A.Zuill, S.Perinchief,

Subs: N.Bascome, K.Martin, Z.Darrell, B.Robinson

Hamilton Parish: N.Burgess, C.Davis, R.Evans, K.Darrell, R.Smith, D.Smith, A. Rashid Ebbin, D.Lovell, N.Swan, C.Hansey, J.Smith

Subs: P.Medeiros, R.Richardson, P.Richardson, L.Butterfield, D.Simmons

Referee: A.Francis

Yellow cards: J.Smith (Hamilton Parish); J.Butterfield ( Devonshire Colts)

Man-of-the-match: J.Smith (Hamilton Parish)