NCEL: Brad Walker hits four as Knaresborough Town pummel Yorkshire Amateur
Marksman Brad Walker struck his second hat-trick of the month to fire Knaresborough Town to a thumping 6-0 win over NCEL neighbours Yorkshire Amateur.
Town responded in perfect fashion from manager Paul Stansfield's criticism of last week's 4-3 defeat to Winterton Rangers as they hit the net four times in the first half before adding two more after the break.
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Hide AdWalker struck four of the goals, including one penalty, while strike partner Gary Collier slammed home twice in Boro's joint biggest win of the season.
It took until the 28th minute for Knaresborough to get their first when Walker reacted first to Ammers keeper Daniel King's save.
Three minutes later, the striker had a second as he pounced on indecision in the home defence and managed to reach the ball before the out-rushing King and steer strike first time into the net from 30 yards.
King then saved well from Maullin, but Knaresborough won a penalty when George Eustance was tripped in the 34th minute.
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Hide AdWalker struck home but an encroachment forced a re-take which Walker dispatched into the opposite side of the net to seal his hat-trick inside eight minutes.
Gary Collier completed a fearsome first half performance by the visitors when he slammed home a fourth goal in the 42nd minute, after latching onto Jonty Maullin's pass.
Early in the second half, Thomas Marsden’s shot was deflected on to the outside of a post for the hosts and Boro keeper Jack Rushworth saved from Jasiah Donaldson - brother of Birmingham City marksman Clayton.
But soon Knaresborough were back on top of possession. Collier fired over and Walker wide before both strikers had headers off target from Ben Parkes and George Eustance crosses respectively.
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Hide AdCollier added the fifth in the 64th minute after a Parkes shot rebounded from the inside of the post, but picked up an injury in the process and was replaced by Blaine Hobson who had a hand in the sixth five minutes later although he should have scored himself.
Walker had broken into the area and crossed unselfishly for Hobson in front of goal. He managed to get in a tangle and a defender blocked his effort allowing Walker to follow in and slam home his own fourth of the game.
Ex-Knaresborough striker Craig Heard, came on as substitute for Yorkshire Amateur and fired over the bar before Parkes had a shot saved for Knaresborough.
Rushworth then saved a free kick from Glen Wood before a late Matty Pascal effort was saved by King as ‘Boro’ continued to press.
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Hide AdThe victory maintained Knaresborough's place in ninth place in Northern Counties Division One, with Amateurs three points below in tenth.
However, Knaresborough still have a ten point gap to the top five play-off positions.