Harrison heroics obliterate Cobblers

ELLIS Harrison’s four goals inspired Bristol Rovers’ thumping win over Northampton and manager Darrell Clarke claims it was no less than the striker deserved.

Rovers closed in on the League One play-off places but the result heaped the pressure on Cobblers boss Rob Page, with his side conceding four goals inside the first 25 minutes of the match.

Billy Bodin opened the scoring on seven minutes with a spectacular individual goal before Harrison took over, netting a stunning seven-minute hat-trick.

The Wales Under-21 international added another after the break as Rovers moved up to eighth in the table.

Clarke said: “We got off to a great start. We were really positive and to get four goals so quickly made the afternoon a lot easier.

“I was pleased with performance and scoring five and keeping a clean sheet as well is a Brucie bonus!

“Ellis has got his rewards for his hard work this season and is now maturing into the player we hoped he would.”

Meanwhile, Page’s position is looking precarious.

“I would like to apologise to the fans because that performance was totally unacceptable,” he said.

“It wasn’t just men against boys out there, it was men against girls.

“It was embarrassing and I really felt for the supporters.

“Football managers are always under pressure because it’s a results business and I can’t answer questions about my future.

“The board and the chairman are the only ones who can. But from my point of view I’m not a quitter and I won't change now.

“I want to improve things for this football club. If I’m given the opportunity then great, if I’m not then I'll deal with it.”

Bodin put Rovers ahead as he turned past David Buchanan before blasting a right-footed shothome from 20 yards. Harrison made it 2-0 when he flicked in a cross from James Clarke from the right wing at the near post.

He netted again when he bundled in from close-range after Mark McChrystal headed Chris Lines’ corner back across goal.

And the sevenminute hat-trick was complete when Lee Brown crossed from the left and Harrison cheekily back-heeled home.

After the break the Welsh star made it 5-0 as he collected a pass from Bodin before turning to shoot home from ten yards out.