Taunton & Dist Saturday League Div One: Highbridge Town 4, Bishops Lydeard

A HAT-trick by the reliable Wayne Hand saw Town to a comfortable victory on Saturday over the visitors, who used to something of a bogey team for them.

The team rallied together well following the use that goalkeeper Jon Picton, who has been playing and managing this season, has called it a day because of a groin injury. His assistant Mark Criddle will continue to run the side.

There is a doubt over the future of full-back Ben King, who has missed the last three matches and may be moving away, while midfielder John Kear is having a shoulder operation this week which is likely to keep him out for up to a month.

Striker Richard Cattell had a knee operation recently and may be able to start light training in three or fours weeks, but his season is virtually over.

In Picton's absence, Craig Holley moved from central defence into goal and impressed with his handling.

A young Bishops Lydeard side were run ragged in the first 20 minutes by Town striker Adam Lock, who will start a six-week ban soon following his sending-off in the recent Somerset Junior Cup defeat at Frome Town Sports.

There were two goal-line clearances before Lock opened the scoring with a skilful overhead kick from the edge of the box into the top corner. The visitors hardly threatened and Hand made it 2-0 at half time. Lock broke down the right and could have scored, but passed unselfishly for his strike partner to score.

Within two minutes of the start of the second half, Hand made it 3-0 with a tremendous, left-foot shot. His hat-trick came a few minutes later, as Ricky Cook went down the right and set him up.

There could have been several more goals. Scott Woodberry hit the bar from close range, while, with everyone wanting to score, chances were missed through selfishness.

However, the victory put Town back on track after two defeats. Their outstanding players were Craig Holley, Phil White, who was excellent at right-back, Lock and Hand.

Team: C Holley (sub Mogg); White, Wait, Woodberry, R Holley; R Cook, Hicks (sub Thresher), Kear, Watts; Hand, Lock. Unused sub: Carter.

Town Reserves continued their poor run with a 4-1 defeat at Watchet. On Saturday (2.30), the first team face a tough test, away to leaders Porlock. The reserves have no game.