WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

St Blazey 6 Sidmouth Town 1

KAI Burrell scored a hat-trick as St Blazey moved back into the play-off zone after an emphatic victory over struggling Sidmouth at Blaise Park on Saturday.

The 22-year-old striker scored his third goal in time added on to take his season’s tally in all competitions to 20 and with it the leading scorer in the division, a remarkable achievement by the first week in November.

Blazey have now won four of their last five league games and look in good shape for Tuesday’s mouth-watering clash against Liskeard Athletic at Lux Park (7.30pm).

After being held to a goalless draw by Sidmouth in mid-September, the Green & Blacks took only three minutes to puncture the visitors’ defence as Sean Thomson finished off Burrell’s pass.

Burrell turned from provider to scorer to extend the lead with goals in the 19th and 34th minutes before Olly Redd produced one of his special finishes to make it 4-0 two minutes later.

With the game all but tied up, the second half saw Blazey take their foot off the pedal to a certain extent and Sidmouth reduced the arrears through a disputed Ryan White penalty 20 minutes from time.

But after using substitutes to freshen things up, Blazey added further goals in the last three minutes through Harry Blows and Burrell.

Manager Dan Hart said: “Yesterday’s game was in some ways quite the opposite of the reverse fixture. We in fact created fewer opportunities on goal yesterday, and scored six goals.

“We’d set out to put that result to bed, and looked at our combinations in training.

“Throughout the first half we looked ruthless in the way that we attacked central spaces, with high energy and we looked dangerous every time we went forward.

“To go in at half-time four goals to the good was very pleasing. In the second, I think naturally we relaxed a little. I was disappointed to concede – however, the referee himself admitted post-match that the penalty decision was incorrect.

“The introduction of a few changes allowed us to finish strongly with two further goals.”

He added: “We know we are heading into a huge month, it’s a good way to start that off and we will have to match this level to achieve our goals.

“We look forward to a real tough examination at Lux Park on Tuesday.”

ST BLAZEY: Kyle Moore; Reece Shanley, Jack Calver (capt), Charlie Hambly, Jordan Bentley, Aaron Bentley, Olly Redd (Teigan Rosenquest, 81), Ben Fowles (Will Tinsley, 66), Kai Burrell, Sean Thomson (Tom Strike, 87), Cam Hutchison (Harry Blows, 78). Sub not used: Dan Hart.

St Blazey man-of-the-match: Kai Burrell.