Let's do this by numbers, shall we? For the first time in 15 months, Ransomes win a home league match by 8-1. Drew Connick netted four, and he was just one of five different scorers with Ben Garnham netting his first goal for the club.
It was a good afternoon for Ransomes, that is for sure, having presented their candidacy in a game that they dominated from the first whistle - the only surprise being that they had to wait until the 35th minute for the first of the eight to arrive, and it could have been the fourth. Ricardo Phillips and Drew Connick had clear chances before the smooth glider that is Connor Morley raced down the right flank before cutting back a ball exactly where he wanted it and Drew Connick did the rest, slamming his shot into the roof of the net from 16 yards.
Ransomes were flying now and three minutes later Ricardo Phillips found Drew Connick who turned, drove towards the penalty area and fired low past the sprawling Thompson.
By half time, the pace was set and Leiston St. Margarets had not been in the match, they were there only as victims.
The corner count continued to rack up immediately after the break and two goals soon became three when a deep cross to the far post from Jon Ince somehow found Ben Garnham and he rifled his shot high into the net from six yards.
It was all very incongruous for a Saints team that reduced the deficit in the very next attack. It was an extraordinary decision from the linesman that led to Leiston's consolation after Callum Deacon had been lobbed by Bryant. The keeper, who was spectating (as he had for most of the match) from the edge of his area frantically raced back towards his own goal, but the ball beat him and came back off the bar. The linesman indicated a goal stating the ball had entered the goal because the goalkeeper did. The referee awarded the goal following consultation much to the disapproval of Deacon, and his remonstration earnt him a yellow card.
Any feint hopes of a comeback were extinguished on 58 minutes as Stefano Mallardo gobbled up a chance in the six yard box following another Ransomes corner delivered by Ricardo Phillips and four quickly became five. Good combination play between Connor Morley and Adam Todd down the right flank saw Todd's low driven cross turned in by Drew Connick to complete his hat trick as Ransomes went nap. The wide positions that Ransomes had occupied throughout this game were very wide and the pitch made much too big for Leiston St. Margarets to get anywhere on time.
Ransomes made changes with Courtney David, Connor Morley and Franco Mallardo departing to high fives and hugs from the manager. Blake Saker, Kieran Turner and Josh Caraccio all entered the field of play and the hunger was maintained. Ransomes had five, and they were still not finished, continuing until they had completed their biggest league win of the current campaign.
Drew Connick added his fourth following a clever back heel from Ricardo Phillips and this proved just reward for a player who refused to hide after those early missed opportunities.
From the Saints point of view, it would be difficult to remember such a one-sided game. They probably anticipated that Ransomes would have more of the possession, but not like this. By the end, they just wanted it to stop, but Ransomes refused. Sometimes intent is everything, and Ransomes were vicious. Right to the end they sliced away at them, leaving scars, and there was something cruel about it as they added two further goals.
Both goals spoke of Ransomes superiority, a total mastery of everything as they pinged the ball around the Saints penalty box before Drew Connick's lay-off was emphatically finished off by Bradley Barber. Kieran Turner then completed the scoring with a sublime cross shot into the far corner after Adam Todd had created the opportunity and Ransomes were finishing the match as they started, with a swagger and in firm ball hogging mode, sapping the energy of those in blue who had to keep chasing them, but to their credit Leiston St. Margarets did just that, and never lost their heart or courage.