JOSH Hurdman scored a second-half hat-trick as Droitwich Spa beat Wantage Town 5-3 in an eight-goal thriller.
Hurdman’s treble came after Perry Moss opened the scoring while the midfielder also netted Spa’s third goal at Alfredian Park.
The home side levelled the game before the break when Owain Wheeler found the net before a pair of stunning strikes from Jack Fountain and Callum Crook reduced the deficit late on.
And the result means Droitwich lead the Hellenic League Division One table by five points.
Andy Crowther’s side made the perfect start as Moss tapped home to break the deadlock after just two minutes following good work from Jack Brighton, Hurdman and Alex Dugmore.
Wantage responded with a chance of their own at Rogerson made a good save at his near post to keep out Crook’s effort.
Spa lost Cory Rudd to the sin-bin for dissent and Wantage made the most of the extra man to draw level on 32 minutes when Wheeler’s first time volley flew into the top corner.
The home side had the ball in the back of the Spa net two more times in the first half only for both goals to be ruled out.
Both teams traded chances at the start of the second half as Hurdman shot over the crossbar while Stephen Robertson failed to hit the target with a close range header at the other end.
However, Droitwich ran away with the game after scoring four goals in the space of 18 second-half minutes.
Hurdman restored the away side’s lead on 66 minutes with a calm finish over Wantage goalkeeper Tom Rees.
And Moss grabbed his second of the game five minutes later with a volley from close range.
The Saltmen struck again on 73 minutes as Hurdman’s low free-kick evaded everyone and found the bottom corner of the net.
And the Spa youngster completed his hat-trick on 84 minutes when one-on-one with Rees.
The visitors introduced captain James Lemon and Matt Williams from the bench late on as both players returned from injury.
However, Wantage produced two stunning strikes to reduce the deficit in the closing stages as both Fountain and Crook found the net with a pair of sensational efforts.
Droitwich are next in action against FC Stratford on Tuesday, October 29 with kick-off at 7.45pm at the Arden Garages Stadium.
