DAN Taylor opened his Christchurch goals account for the season with a hat-trick – but he could have scored five.
The left-back made the most of playing in a more advanced role by netting three times in Priory’s resounding 5-0 victory at Alton Town on Saturday.
Having rejoined Christchurch from Bournemouth Poppies earlier this term, Taylor broke his Priory duck for the campaign in some style.
Manager Graham Kemp explained: “We were a little bit short and had a few players unavailable, so we put Dan on the left of midfield.
“It was quite remarkable – he scored a hat-trick, had an effort disallowed and he hit the post! It was quite an achievement for him.”
James Burden and Dan Crutchley were also on the scoresheet for Christchurch as they climbed to third in the Premier Division table.
Kemp added: “You always look to do better than in the previous season and, regardless now, we have beaten our record points total.
“We will finish in the top four and we are also in two cup finals. It is a phenomenal achievement by the lads and they deserve every credit.”
Priory: Collins, Thompson, Legg, Crutchley, Costello, Burt, Taylor, Griffin (Dand, 75), Burden, Osborne, Cook (Cornick, 60). Unused subs: Lovell, Walker.
• Sam Lockyer’s 25-yard volley in the closing stages gave Hamworthy United the last laugh at Blackfield & Langley.
“It was a fantastic goal at a fantastic time,” said Hammers boss Simon Browne.
The 1-0 away victory would have tasted extra sweet for Hamworthy as former goalkeeper Simon Evans lined up for Blackfield – just days after texting Browne to tell him he would be leaving the County Ground.
Hammers: Murphy, Wyatt, White, Horlock, Haysom, Whitcher (Corby, 60), Lanahan, Robinson, Staines (Lockyer, 55), Chudy (Basing, 75), Burbidge.
• Goalkeeper-turned-goalscorer Kenny Vaughan Jnr was on target to help depleted Bournemouth Poppies claim a 1-1 draw at Brading Town on Friday night.
Usually understudy to number one Max Frampton, Vaughan was deployed in attack when introduced from the bench by father and manager Ken Vaughan.
The move paid off when his well-struck effort, within four minutes of coming on, put Poppies ahead, only for the hosts to level through Philip McDonald.
Poppies: Frampton, Molyneaux, Crutcher, Jackson, Watt, Leadbetter, Ewen, Mas, Swann, Ingram, Moreau (Vaughan, 70).
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