AHOSKIE – Brian Britton scored three goals as the Ridgecroft Rams handed the Bears of Hertford County an 8-0 loss here Tuesday.

Ridgecroft controlled the ball from the whistle and had several scoring opportunities before Britton put Harrison Revelle’s pass in the left side of the net to give the Rams a 1-0 advantage.

Six minutes later, Revelle connected with Britton, who put the ball in the left corner of the net to give Ridgecroft a two-goal lead.

Senior Wes Ward, returning to the Rams lineup after missing last season due to injury, scored after Hertford keeper Justin Nixon deflected a shot back into play.

The final score of the first half came after Zach Futrell crossed the ball to Evans Jones, who put the ball in the net for a 4-0 Ridgecroft lead.

The Rams, who often played their fullbacks at the 50-yard line, dominated the second half.

Nixon deflected a shot by Jones, but senior Drew Jones followed the shot and was able to put the deflected ball in the net, increasing the Ridgecroft lead, 5-0.

D. Jones then connected with left-footer Chris Hill, working through the Bears defense as Hill got the shot past the HCHS keeper.

Following a Ridgecroft penalty shot, senior William Alexander, normally a fullback but playing striker (center forward), scored on a Hertford County deflection to give the Rams a 7-0 lead.

Britton started the Rams scoring drive and he finished it, following a Ridgecroft shot and putting the ball in the net to give the Rams an 8-0 victory.

Ridgecroft finished the match with 41 shots on goal.

Rams keepers Ian Kinlaw and Jeremy Courtright were credited with the shutout.

&uot;They’re coming along,&uot; said Rams’ head coach Patrick Sensiba.

&uot;We had a good balanced attack.

As the competition increases, hopefully our level of play will increase.&uot;

Bears’ coach Carol Swain was pleased with her team’s efforts.

&uot;To have played yesterday, it was a good effort.

They played hard until near the end of the second half, when we got tired.&uot;

&uot;Andy (Thompson) had several looks at the goal that we weren’t able to capitalize on,&uot; Swain added.

The Bears will host Tarboro today (Tuesday) at 5:00.

Ridgecroft takes the field next Tuesday, traveling to Terra Ceia Christian School.