By Will Taylor
UNIVERSITY of South Wales suffered a torrid start to the BUCS Premier South season as they were comfortably beaten by an impressive Hartpury side at the Sport Park.
Rudy McKinnon, James Sunley, Charlie Johnson, and an Ethan Dunbar double, cemented a convincing 5-0 win for the visitors on the opening day of the 2022/23 BUCs season.
New USW manager Andrew Whittington saw his side concede the opener after just 10 minutes when McKinnon flicked the ball over a defender and volleyed home past a stunned goalkeeper Harri Irving.
In a first half the away side dominated it was 2-0 just before the break when Dunbar found the back of the net.
Hartpury could have added to their lead early in the second half with Dunbar missing the target when a goal looked guaranteed and Johnson’s curling effort resulting in a spectacular save from Irving.
It seemed to be game over with just under half-an-hour to go.
A well-worked move from Hartpury found Dunbar unmarked on the right hand side and he crossed for James Sunley to stroke home into an empty net.
USW’s Kamil Falarski went close with a well struck free-kick late on, but it was only a fleeting threat from the hosts.
A mix-up in defence allowed Hartpury their fourth after a seemingly tame cross from Johnson managed to go through everyone in the box and nestle in the bottom corner.
Dunbar added his second and his side’s fifth seconds before the final whistle blew to complete a miserable day for new boss Whittington.