Hednesford Town continue winning run as Halesowen Town endure first-half nightmare - round-up

Jamie Cooke smashed a hat-trick as in-form Hednesford Town’s assault on the National League North summit continued with a 6-2 thrashing of Morecambe.

A quickfire early double from Dylan Mottley-Henry had the Pitmen 2-0 ahead after 15 minutes and attacker Cooke’s first made it three before Morecambe pulled one back before the break.

Kelvin Davis’ high-flyers took the clash away from the Lancashire visitors, down from the National League last term, as Cooke made it 4-1 with a cool finish.

Morecambe hit back again before the hour but the Pitmen had plenty left in the tank as Cooke converted from Lenni Cirino for a hat-trick. Jamie Morgan added late gloss with a fifth.

Hednesford are up to fifth, two points from second, after a fifth win from six.

Halesowen Town were unable to mount a response to dismal 5-0 first-half deficit in defeat to Anstey Nomads in Southern Central Premier at The Grove. It was the second time Halesowen have shipped five in the first half this season.

The Yeltz, under new boss Paul Holleran, fought back to lose 5-3 to add a touch of respect to the scoreline with late goals in the final 20 minutes.

But the damage was done in the first half by the irresistible Leicestershire visitors as 10th-placed Town capitulated.

Vanylson Silva, Neo Dobson and Jason Cowley netted late consolations.

Stourbridge are one place and point behind their arch-rivals having also lost ground in a heavy defeat.

The Glassboys were comfortably seen off 4-1 at high-flying Needham Market, with a late Charlie Pavey consolation all to shout about from a lengthy trip.

Rushall Olympic occupy the final play-off spot of seventh in the step three division, but were unable to make any further inroads with a 3-0 defeat at leaders Real Bedford.

Three second-half goals, including a double for former Coventry man Jordan Ponticelli, saw the Pics depart pointless.

Northern Premier West basement boys Lichfield City secured an impressive coupon-busting point with a resilient home draw against league leaders Bootle.

John Mills dispatched a cool finish after just two minutes to shock the Merseyside visitors, who were frustrated for much of the afternoon.

Matthew Fenton equalised midway through the second period, but the Citizens clinched a deserved point.

Chasetown dropped to 17th, just two places and one point above the dropzone, after a 3-0 defeat at fifth-placed Mossley.