Grove turn on style to beat Bush

Danny Lane struck a first-half hat-trick as Paulsgrove fired a stunning five-goal message to all the Hampshire Premier League title hopefuls.

Wayne Grant’s men remained fifth in the Senior Division after hammering table-topping Bush Hill 5-2 at the weekend.

But they have at least three games in hand on all the teams above them after winning nine of their opening 10 matches and drawing the other, writes SIMON CARTER.

Lane opened the scoring after only four minutes, the kick off having been delayed while Bush changed into lime green shirts to avoid a colour clash.

Bush defender James Whitlock had looked favourite to cut out a pass, but Zak Willett capitalised on his hesitation and was instantly in the clear. Rounding keeper Reece Henry, Willett had time to look up and roll a simple pass for Lane to pick his spot from six yards out.

Ten minutes later Shane Cornish put Willett through again, and after rounding Henry he looked set to score before being denied by a lastditch tackle.

Cornish was to provide the assist for Lane’s next two goals.

First, the striker controlled a crossfield ball with his first touch, before firing home with his second.

That sparked a jog to the touchline and a sliding knee celebration in front of Bush boss Eugene McManus.

It was the sort of celebration that would probably have brought Lane a yellow card for ungentlemanly conduct higher up the footballing pyramid. If Sergio Aguero celebrated like that in front of Jose Mourinho, the images would be on the back page of every paper in the land.

As it was, only News photographer Chris Moorhouse was present at Marsden Lane to capture Lane’s delight for posterity!

On 36 minutes it was Lane 3 Bush 0 as the visitors yet again paid the price for a high back line. This time Cornish played him through and Lane produced another calm, composed finish for his 15th goal in only nine Senior Division starts.

At this stage, Grove were looking like scoring every time they attacked with Cornish, Lane and Willett asking all the questions.

The hosts were awarded an indirect free-kick on the edge of the Bush six-yard box shortly after, following Henry getting a hand to an overhit back pass. Aaron Fennemore rolled it to Cornish, whose shot was deflected just over.

Cornish should have made it 4-0 within a minute of the restart, firing just wide from close range after Lane had won possession near the byline.

The visitors reduced the deficit on 52 minutes when Jake Long headed in a corner.

Bush tried to retrieve the ball quickly from the back of the net, sparking a melee involving several players.