Dave Jolley continued to justify his selection as a striker with his hat-trick helping Runcorn Town Reserves to get back to winning ways with a 4-0 victory at Southport Trinity Reserves in West Cheshire League Three.

Connor Anderson had a chance to open the scoring inside the first minute with a shot that went just wide of the left hand post, with Town pressuring their hosts from the start. On a sandy and boggy pitch, it was difficult to turn good the pressure that they were having into chances. The opening goal came on 15 minutes with Jamie Cumpper’s ball putting David Ginever clear down the right. He hit a low, drilled cross to the near post where Jolley was waiting to turn the ball in.

Southport struggled to get into the game and the first real opportunity came on 32 minute when Town’s defence split allowing Mark Ellison a clear shot from the edge of the box, however the leading scorer hit the ball way over the bar.

Town’s second came on 53 minutes with Jolley grabbing it again. Martin Daly held up the ball well and played a great through ball to Jolley who could not miss from close range. Southport did manage to create some good openings but never really tested Carl Williams in goal. Lee Welsh had the best opportunity from the edge of the box following a free kick on the left but he hit over the bar.

Jolley’s third was the goal of the game with Connor Anderson on the right finding Ben Butler in the middle who played it first time through to Jolley. He advanced into the box, cut inside the last defender and curled the ball into the corner of the net for his first hat-trick for Town.

There was still time for a fourth with three minutes remaining when poor Trinity defending gave Butler possession on the edge of the box. The midfielder made no mistake as he hit an unstoppable shot into the top left hand corner.

Town: C.Williams, D.Ginever, P.Illidge, D.Graven, M.Tudor, R.Davies, J.Cumpper, D.Cummins, D.Jolley, M.Daly, C.Anderson, W.Conway, M.Wilson, B.Butler Goals: D.Jolley (3), B.Butler