Wauchope were battered and bruised by the end of the game after reserve goalkeeper Huon Williams had to be replaced after just 15 minutes.

He suffered a knock to the head after a heavy 50-50 collision with Josh Moore which forced Wauchope coach Terry Burn to reshuffle his side.

Moore was subsequently awarded a yellow card.

Regular field player Alex Clarke slotted into goals after he himself required stitches during the reserve grade game earlier in the day.

By the end of the match Clarke resembled a bandaged bear as United ran away with the match.

Wauchope coach Terry Burn said his side again created some opportunities, but after defending for the majority of the opening 45 minutes, it took its toll.

“We defended heavily in the first half and they ran all over us in the second half,” he said.

“They used the width of the field really well and moved us from side to side and you just can’t defend like that for 90 minutes.

“When we managed to get the ball back we coughed it up and couldn’t give ourselves a bit of a rest.”

Burn said it was difficult for his side to compete with a United team who looked like they knew each other’s games inside-out.

“They were just better than us on the day,” he said.

“They outclassed us particularly in the second half.

“You could tell they have been playing together for a while because they know who is making what run. Unfortunately we don’t have that luxury just yet, but it’ll come.”

In a further encouraging sign for the team, Logan Palmer again put his name on the scoresheet.

Port United captain Matt Broderick was satsified with the performance and said Wauchope performed well, particularly in the first half.

United led 2-0 after 15 minutes and Broderick admitted his side could have been guilty of expecting the goals to come without working for them.

“We started good and were two goals up inside the first 20 minutes,” he said.

“We then slacked off a bit but then spoke about it at half-time and were much better.”

Goals to Andy Collins, Broderick, Connor Hughes and Elliot Breaks rounded off the scoring as United momentarily moved into the Football Mid North Coast Premier League top four.

“We moved the ball around pretty well and were a lot more patient in the second half,” Broderick said.

In a good day for Port United, their reserve grade side registered a comfortable 3-0 win with Brett Ervine scoring a double and Nathan Veros also finding the back of the net.