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SCARBORO’ ATH 5 Walshaw BAMBER 16, 55, 62, Coulson 19 (pen), BRIDGE Watson 49 0
JAMES WALSHAW’S hat-trick helped Scarborough Athletic to their biggest home win of the season, which moved them to within three points of the play-off spots.
Walshaw and Michael Coulson both missed early half chances before Bamber Bridge had a succession of corners, the last forcing a fine save out of Scarborough keeper Tommy Taylor.
But the hosts soon asserted their dominance, Walshaw tapping home the opener from a 15th-minute corner.
Four minutes later, Michael Coulson then outpaced the Bamber back line, only to be felled by Brig keeper Danny Roccia, before slotting home the resultant spot-kick.
Four minutes after the restart, a now wind-backed Boro extended their lead, thanks to a customarily fine finish from Ryan Watson, who made it three in three against Bamber in a Boro shirt, each one from outside the box.
And the chances kept coming for the hosts, Walshaw heading the second of his afternoon into an empty net from a set piece, six minutes later.
The Scarborough number nine then completed his hat-trick with some style, breaking through the defence to send a delightful chip over an on-rushing Roccia.
There were still 28 minutes left. And Boro missed two gilt-edged opportunities for a sixth goal.
Walshaw was caught with what appeared to be a high foot in the penalty box and, perhaps unwisely, took the kick in search of hisfourth goal, only for Roccia to save it.
Watson then missed a golden opportunity, in acres of space 15 yards out he sent a shot narrowly wide of the right hand upright.
Buoyant Boro boss Darren Kelly told The NLP: “I thought we were fantastic. We had to be. We played really well and could have won by more.
“Bamber are a good footballing side but we controlled the game and the conditions perfectly.”