Thornbury Town 5 Hereford Pegasus 3

HARRY BROCK bagged a hat-trick as Hellenic League Division One West outfit Thornbury Town came out on top in an eight-goal thriller, writes Mark Franklin.

Earlier, Nathan Sage returned to the centre of defence after injury with Rhys Hodgson starting on the right.

Thornbury were ahead inside sixty-seconds - Brandon Benjamin played the ball forward to Brock who finished clinically.

Hereford drew parity on five minutes. However, Thornbury re-took the lead when Brock outpaced the full-back and crossed for Craig Lancastle to score for the eighth time on the bounce.

The goal tide continued just before the half-hour. Brock cut in from the left and curled the ball into the far corner.

Hereford responded and pulled a goal back before the break.

Tom Webb replaced Ollie Rawnsley (hamstring) for the second half and for a while the game quietened down – a Thornbury corner and a Joe Guest booking.

On 62 minutes Brock was brought down as he rounded the keeper and Lancastle made no mistake from the spot.

A good spell of pressure then followed from the Hereford side with Kurtis Parkin in goal regularly punching clear and claiming crosses and on 85th minute the away side pulled another goal back.

Just before the final whistle nerves were relaxed when Parkin claimed an assist as Brock got his foot to a long goal kick and the ball rolled into the net for his hat-trick.

The win moves Thornbury up to sixth in the table with games in hand.

Back-to-back league home matches this week with Hereford Lads Club the visitors on tonight, Tuesday and New College Swindon on Saturday.