JAC LEADS CRUISE BY THE BLUES!
AFIVE-STAR showing from Whitby Town saw them safely through to the second round proper of the FA Trophy with striker Jacob Hazel grabbing a real poacher’s hattrick.
Nathan Haslam, Whitby Town joint manager: “They started off quite brightly- we did too. They’re a good team. It was a bit nip and tuck probably in the first 15 minutes or so.
“But in transition, we overpowered them.
“Once the first goal went in, the game changed and it was all us.”
After an impeccably-observed minute’s silence on Remembrance weekend, the Blues started like a house on fire as the returning Macauley Shepherd tested Jordan Hadlow, who held a powerful drive well. Brad Fewster then had an effort blocked on ten minutes.
At the other end, Shane Bland denied Kane Hickman before Whitby resumed their dominance with Hadlow parrying from Fewster then saving from on-loan Middlesbrough winger Harry Green.
Town eventually led on the half-hour with Hazel lobbing Hadlow with a cross turned shot to put the hosts ahead.
Within four minutes, it was two, as Shepherd put Fewster in to slot confidently past Hadlow.
Jack Bannister was denied by Bland as the Northern Premier League West leaders began the second half well and Harry Pratt fired wide from the rebound.
However, just as the door slid open for the Lancashire visitors, it was slammed shut, in style, as Priestley Griffiths blasted in from 20 yards for 3-0. Within seconds it was 4-0 as Hazel tapped in after Green saw his shot charged down.
Hickman fired high over the crossbar from the edge of the area for Mossley, who travelled in numbers, with two full coaches crossing the Pennines.
Hadlow then did well once again to clutch Hazel’s deflected drive.
The icing on the cake came four minutes from time, for Whitby and their top goalscorer. Hazel grabbed his hat-trick from the penalty spot with a clinical finish from 12 yards and it’s now 12 goals this season for the former Frickley and Scarborough hotshot.
STAR MAN: Jacob Hazel (Whitby Town) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★