Hartpury hat-trick against Brighton

BUCS Premier League South – 26^th October

Hartpury started off brightly and could have taken the lead after only three minutes on the clock when a ball over the top by Baldwin caught the Brighton defence sleeping and Pugh raced clear but at a tight angle. He shot powerfully at the goalkeeper but it was parried away to safety.

The pitch was in magnificent condition and suited Hartpury’s attractive passing style. Brighton were playing a direct approach with long balls kicked aerially up to Hartpury’s defence but the central defenders of Clarke and Baldwin coped admirably.

A similar piece of play from Baldwin led to Hartpury’s opening goal with Baldwin pinging a ball to Parrott in the air, who in turn flicked the ball on to Pugh who again raced clear. This time though he was more central and as he approached the goalkeeper, he guided the ball into the far corner and out of his clutches and into the net.

Hartpury were in control of the game and were territorially dominant without really pushing themselves. Hartpury scored again with what was a carbon copy of the first goal. Baldwin played the ball in behind the Brighton defence and Pugh used his pace to be first onto the ball and although the keeper seemed to be favourite to the ball, inexplicably he backed away only leading to one outcome. Pugh advanced and smashed a ball high in the goal.

Hartpury really only suffered one scare in the first half when Lewis Tasker at left back got turned inside out by the Brighton winger and although clear through with Hartpury’s keeper, he shot weakly and James Nortei gathered with ease.

Just before half-time Hartpury scored the third and last goal of the match with the best move of the game - a sweeping move from left to right. Initially, Tasker played a one-two with Dan Holloway and played the ball infield to Nick Hancock. Hancock delivered the ball out wide to Jack Winter who with two touches beat his man and crossed towards the far post. Ben Pugh was on hand to head the ball past the helpless keeper to complete his hat-trick.

The second half proved to be a non-event as Hartpury controlled the game from start to finish without breaking stride but should have gone on to score a few more goals. Pugh was guilty of not scoring a fourth, whilst Parrott, Baldwin and Winter could have added to the tally.

HARTPURY 3 – 0 BRIGHTON

HARTPURY: Nortei, Roome, Tasker, Macklin, Marsh, Clarke, Winter, Hancock, Pugh, Parrott, Holloway. Subs: Dingri, Marsh, Harris, Wood