A Joe Pugh hat-trick helped Staveley Miners Welfare to a dominating 5-0 win over Athersley Recreation at Inkersall Road.
Staveley were without Sam Finlaw, who suffered a knee injury in the FA Cup. The Trojans were also without Mark Dudley. A broken tow sidelined the left-back.
The visitors gave a first start to Kai Hancock, who recently had a trial with Rotherham United, he was joined up front with target-man, Lee Garside.
Just 15 minutes into the game, the referee questionably chose not to book Athersley defender, Connor Johnson who clearly pulled Joe Pugh to the floor as he was through on goal.
Four minutes later, Pugh found the back of the net. Morgan James’ lofted ball through was met with Pugh’s perfectly timed run to beat the offisde trap before lifting the ball over Ross Pritchard to give the Trojans the lead.
Brett Marshall’s half-time team talk was the chat the players needed as tempers began to flare heading into half-time.
Tomas Poole was fouled on the edge of the area by Kane Sanderson, who was lucky not to have seen red for his reckless challenge. The resulting free-kick was taken by Poole and headed in on the first attempt by Pugh.
Pugh’s man of the match performance was topped off with his third goal just twenty minutes from time, substitute Pat Lindley played Pugh in who confidently placed the ball by an oncoming Pritchard.
Lindley wasn’t done there as he shrugged off the challenge from Jack Briscoe and played the ball across the goal mouth for Jon Frogatt to open his account for Staveley.
Ishmael Dawson scored the fifth just seven minutes from time in only his second start for the Trojans, topping off an incredible second half team performance and lifting Staveley into second in the Northen Counties Eastern Premier League.
Up next in the League for Staveley is a home-tie against Penistone Church, kicking off at 3pm at Inkersall Road.
Staveley Miners Welfare: Wright, Dawson, Jones (Cheeseman 80), James, Oglesby, Lund, Poole, Doolan (Lindley 65), Frogatt, Pugh, Parkin (Morley 65).
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