Football: Chapman scores his second hat-trick in a week (From Gazette Series)

Uhlsport Hellenic League Division One West: Tytherington Rocks 7 Lydney Town 0

4:37pm Wednesday 4th January 2012 in Thornbury Sport

TYTHERINGTON Rocks smashed yet another seven goals against a fragile Lydney side to start the New Year in style, writes John Crooks.

The Rocks look champions-elect in what is turning into a one horse race for the title.

Of course, there is a long way to go yet, and second placed Old Woodstock Town have games in hand, but it already looks like the rest will be scrapping for the runners-up position.

And yet the Rocks almost conceded a goal after 16 minutes as Jarred Liddington shot from eight yards, but defender Dale Emery was there to block on the line.

Tytherington went ahead 30 seconds later. The ball was transferred to the right flank when Jason Wood picked up the pass and hit a wonderful effort from 20 yards, which beat the helpless Richard Thomas, who could not stop the ball going inside the top corner for the assistant boss’ eighth goal of the term.

Ten minutes later, the Rocks doubled their score as Jack Smyth helped Emery to go down the left and from outside the penalty box his rasping shot flew over the vulnerable Thomas.

In the 32nd minute a splendid header from Smyth put Alex Chapman in sight of goal and he did not miss with a low shot, to give Tytherington a 3- 0 half-time lead.

Although the pitch was sticky, six minutes after the break Tytherington pulled the Lydney defence apart in a pass and move masterclass as Wood, Chapman and Justin Bishop gave the chance for Smyth to wallop the ball low in to the net.

The Rocks then snatched three goals in six minutes.

On the hour Bishop, who did not finish the game because of an injury to his hamstring, found Chapman to score, and four minutes later the 22-year-old striker claimed his second hat-trick in a week by touching man of the match Adamo Missiato’s exemplary cross over the line.

Tytherington made it another magnificent seven when Smyth was tripped by Mark Lee and Rocks substitute Toby Colbourne hammered home the resultant spot kick.

Chapman said: “I will remember eight goals in a week.

“But all the boys were helping me to get in the positions for me to score. That was a flying start to the New Year for me and the team.”

* Tytherington Rocks gained a convincing 3-0 win at New College Swindon on Saturday.

Alex Chapman opened the scoring for the Rocks. Further goals came from Tom Perry and Andrew Criddle.

* This Saturday the Rocks are away at Cricklade Town, 2.15pm.