GLOUCESTER CITY 3 HINCKLEY UNITED 5

By ANDY GIBBS at CORINIUM STADIUM

HINCKLEY United moved back up to third in the league table after this goal fest at Cirencester. It was an amazing game of football featuring eight goals, a missed penalty and numerous missed opportunities that kept the crowd thoroughly entertained throughout.

Matt West will grab the headlines for his hat-trick in 16 minutes either side of half-time but keeper Chris MacKenzie again made a crucial save at a vital time. City had taken the lead after 19 minutes through Ben HUNT and were awarded a penalty seven minutes later for a foul by James Mace. A two goal deficit would have left United with a mountain to climb, but for the second game running, MacKenzie saved a spot kick and the momentum swung Hinckley’s way.

They levelled just beyond the half hour mark, Neil Cartwright delivered an inviting free kick from the left and Connor FRANKLIN planted his header into the bottom corner of the net. Four minutes later, Hinckley were in front, West beat the offside trap on the right flank and delivered a delicate cross that MACE headed home for his first goal for the club.

A remarkable turnaround continued three minutes before the break when The Knitters were gifted a goal as real confusion between keeper Mike Green and one of his defenders on the edge of the City penalty area left WEST with the simplest of tasks to roll the ball into the empty net.

Within a couple of minutes of the second half starting, City were back in it with a carbon copy of United’s third, Jack PITCHER taking advantage of United’s carelessness on the edge of their own area before WEST completed his hat-trick with two goals in four minutes to wrap the game up before the hour. After 53 minutes, he timed his run well to beat the offside trap and race clear on goal before beating Green with a cool finish before the goal of the game four minutes later. A sublime flick from Chukki Eribenne sent Andy Hall racing down the right flank and his low cross was converted by WEST from close range.

Chances came and went in this most open of games and the defences of both sides had a night to forget, but there were no more goals until the dying moments when HUNT scored his second of the evening for the hosts.

HINCKLEY UNITED: MacKenzie, Mace, Cartwright, Dillon, Lister, Franklin, Hall (Hamilton), Gooding, West, (Roberts), Eribenne (Newton), Taylor. Subs not used: Collins, Storer.