SOLIHULL MOORS 2 HINCKLEY UNITED 4

Attendance: 400

By ANDY GIBBS at DAMSON PARK

SAM Smith made himself an instant hero with United fans as he grabbed four goals on his league debut to send The Knitters up to third in the league table.

The on-loan striker scored his goals in a 23 minute spell either side of half-time after Solihull had gone in front, and that devastating burst ensured a straightforward win for Dean Thomas’ men to make it seven league games unbeaten.

Richard Lavery and Andy Gooding were restored to Hinckley’s midfield and after a slow start, the game began to open up during a first half in which both keepers were busy. Alex Taylor was clean through but his shot was beaten away by David Bevan who then did well to turn aside Gooding’s well struck long range shot. Hinckley looked the likelier side early on, but they did look vulnerable at the back when Solihull attacked.

Twice Jake Edwards got in behind them but on each occasion, Chris MacKenzie was equal to him, as he blocked his efforts when the experienced striker bore down on goal. The Moors went in front ten minutes before half-time with a peculiar goal. Ryan Beswick played a pass through to Edwards who was flagged offside, Edwards held his hands above his head to indicate he wasn’t involved in the move – United’s defence hesitated and Beswick ran onto his own through ball to score.

Any sense of injustice Hinckley felt over that goal was soon dismissed by an equaliser three minutes from half-time. There was a hint of offside as Matt West raced clear of the home defence in the inside right channel, no flag was raised and he ran on before unselfishly squaring a low cross that Smith finished from close range.

United improved defensively after the break, the looked much tighter whilst continuing to offer a threat up front and ten minutes into the second half, Smith added his second. Gooding made it – an exquisite left footed cross into the danger zone, the sort of ball that defenders hate but strikers thrive upon and Smith made no mistake.

It was to get even better for the Rushden man as he completed his hat-trick just beyond the hour mark, a long clearance was helped on by West into the path of Smith who took the ball around Bevan for a very confident finish.

Moments later, Gooding created another for Smith, this time he scuffed a pass into the box that eluded a series of players, but Smith again showed great striking instincts to get in front of a defender and lash the ball home to complete a memorable afternoon for the 19 year old.

The game was over to all intents and purposes as Dean Thomas made a trio of changes to rest some players in the midst of the busy Festive period with Smith receiving a great ovation as he was replaced by debutant Andy Hutchinson.

The game threatened to boil over in the closing minutes as The Moors lost their discipline, notably when Theo Street’s extraordinary reaction to a foul on him by Alex Taylor saw him thrust both hands into the midfielder’s chest and he was fortunate that referee Danny Gratton was full of Christmas cheer in only brandishing a yellow card. Solihull grabbed a consolation two minutes into time added on when Mark Gardner headed home Greg Mills deep free kick.

Hinckley United: MacKenzie, Cartwright, Franklin, Lavery, Lister, Collins, Hall (Mace), Gooding (Dillon), Smith (Hutchinson), West, Taylor. Subs not used: Newton, Storer.