SOUTHEND-ON-SEA, England (Interstat) — Southend United delivered a stunning 5-1 victory over Morecambe in a National League match Saturday at Roots Hall Stadium, far exceeding pregame projections.

The home side erupted for five unanswered goals after taking a 1-0 lead. Defender Gus Scott-Morriss opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, followed by goals from Harry Boyes, Andrew Dallas, Mohammed Sangare and Josh Walker. Tom Hopper added a final goal in stoppage time.

Defender Harry Boyes led the performance with a goal and an assist. Morecambe’s lone reply came in the second half, but the match was already decided. The result defied a simulator’s 1-1 draw prediction, as Southend emphatically began its season with a win while Morecambe started with a loss.