Division One (West)
Easington Sports 2 Witney United 4
Saturday, 07 December 2002
Hat-Trick Hero Henry Makes It Four!
Carl Henry recorded a 13-minute second-half hat trick to extend United's excellent winning streak to four matches at Easington Sports on Saturday. United were lucky to go in level at half time after their hosts had hit the woodwork twice towards the end of the first half but their second half dominance made the difference in the end.
The visitors got off to the best possible start when Liam Ranger scored in the second minute; Henry's low and powerful shot was saved by Townsend but Ranger beat his marker to the loose ball to slot home. Easington showed their intentions on 19 minutes when Neil Stacey's shot hit the post and they didn't have to wait long for their equaliser, just after the half-hour mark Stacey made amends by slotting the ball Clifford in the Witney goal. They nearly scored again just a minute later but again United had the woodwork to thank, James Coleman hitting the post with a sweet 20-yard volley to leave the match finely balanced at half time.
Half Time: 1-1
The Blanketmen started the second half brightly and were unlucky not to get a penalty on 52 minutes when Carl Henry looked to be pulled down in the box, but the referee waved away his appeals. Just a minute later it was Easington appealing for a spot-kick but again their pleas were ignored. Just after the hour mark Henry put United back in front, a fine pass found him with just the keeper to beat and although his first shot was well saved he made sure at the second attempt. Just two minutes later he got his second after some good work by Leeyon Phelan and Paul Lennon who laid the ball to Henry who finished with style. United were on top but the hosts pulled a goal back on 70 minutes when Clifford called for and missed a deep cross only to see Mark Griffin's header nestle in the back of the net. This was only a temporary set back and on 75 minutes Henry completed his 13 minute trio, turning his marker and forcing the ball home through a mass of bodies on the goal-line to make it 4-2 to United. He could have bagged another on 78 minutes but his rasping attempt went just wide with the keeper routed to the spot.
This win moves United up to 12th place in Division One West.
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