Hellenic League Division One West

Old Woodstock Town 0 Tytherington Rocks 5

JACK Smyth fired in a hat-trick as Tytherington Rocks moved ten points clear at the top of the table with victory at ten-man Old Woodstock Town.

Playing their first league game after five weeks of postponements due to heavy rain and wet grounds, the Rocks took some time to get used to very sticky conditions, despite the pitch being well prepared.

On 20 minutes Rocks worked the ball to Justin Bishop in the six yard box and he was then brought down in a two-footed tackle by defender Guy Benhoist, who was shown a straight red.

Stuart Nelson stepped up to convert the penalty with a firmly driven shot low to the keeper's left to put Rocks one up.

This was followed within three minutes by Smyth scoring from close in when the ball was crossed from the right by Sam Taylor to make the score 2-0.

With Woodstock now down to ten men, Rocks continued to do most of the attacking but half-time came with no more goals.

The second half started with Rocks now completely on the offensive, and within seven minutes they went further in front when a defence splitting through ball from Bishop allowed Smyth to slot the ball past keeper Robert Guisling from just inside the penalty box.

On 60 minutes Adamo Missiato came off with an injury and on came assistant manager Jason Wood for his first game since being injured in November 2012.

He immediately made an impact in midfield with his control and distribution and helped Rocks to take complete command of the game.

Manager Gary Powell then sent on 18-year-old Jim Brock, who was making his debut for the first team.

A local lad, Brock has progressed from the under-eights to under-18s for the Rocks' junior side through to senior football for the reserves this season.

He soon made his mark as he fired a a strong shot from the left which the keeper did well to hold.

Shortly after he won a penalty for the Rocks when going through the defence and being brought down inside the box, giving Smyth the chance to complete his hat-trick from the spot, which he duly did to make the score 4-0.

With only three minutes remaining Rocks completed the scoring when Taylor scored after a good run from the middle to fire past the keeper for number five.

After such a long break, this was an excellent team performance by the Rocks.

On Saturday, they are away to Carterton, 3pm.

Tytherington Reserves beat Ashton United 1-0 away with Craig Stewart getting the only goal.

They are at home to Old Georgians on Saturday, 2.30pm.