Steeple Bumpstead 3 : 4 Thaxted Rangers

Thaxted were looking to bounce back at the weekend following two consecutive defeats and they certainly started in determined fashion.

In the opening minute of the game, Tom Clark raced through and squared to Charlie Daniels who went round the keeper to score.

Barely 5 minutes later, Tom chased down a goalkeeper's clearance, the ball ricocheted across the box and Charlie was able to adjust and manoeuvre into the net.

The home side didn’t really know what had hit them, but then the game started to settle down, resulting in Thaxted's Toby Bowler now being the busier keeper.

On the half hour, Bumpstead pulled one back and then on the brink of half time, Thaxted defenders were left appealing in vain for offside when the home striker broke the trap and finished well - all square at the break.

The next goal was going to be crucial and it was Thaxted who got it, a quick corner from Charlie Daniels and the marauding Andy Macdowell powerfully headed home.

Charlie then created a bit of history with his first hat trick after six seasons and what a way to do it!

Lewis Hornsby put a good ball out to Charlie on the wing, who went past one player and cut in from the right and unleashed an unstoppable strike with his left foot which nestled in the corner of the net.

Chris Grout had a great opportunity to put the game to bed when Charlie squared to him with a gaping goal but Chris did not connect well and the chance went begging.

The home side were not finished yet and, with five minutes to go, got back into the game when the winger cut in from the left and chipped Toby Bowler.

Thaxted then had to withstand some late pressure to hold on to a valuable three points which takes them up to 4th in the table.

Team:Toby Bowler, Stuart Mead, Simon Jiggins (capt), Mark Perry, Shane Vince, Luke Mead, James Lacon, Calum Payne, Al Potter, Charlie Daniels, Tom Clark. Subs: Andy Macdowell, Paul Potter, Lewis Hornsby, Chris Grout. Goals: Charlie Daniels (3) & Andy Macdowell.