A FIRST half hat-trick from Connor Collins guided ten man Fairfield Villa to a 7-3 victory over Worcester Raiders in the Worcestershire Junior Cup.
His three goals along with Tom Cunningham-Smith opening minute strike gave the Bromsgrove side a 4-1 lead at half time.
Villa suffered a blow on the 20th minute when Ollie Booth was brandished a straight red card, but they refused to let it affect them as they eased to victory.
Dave Rousell and Ellis Blakemore added to their advantage after the break before John Pykett completed the rout which moved them into the last four of the competition.
Manager Paul Oakes said he was delighted by the way his players responded after last week’s disappointing 2-1 defeat at home to Hampton.
“It was a real eye opener last week,” he said. “Hampton were not better than us, but they applied themselves and displayed all the qualities I demand.
“We drilled it home to them about how important it is to work hard. Worcester Raiders was always going to be a tough venue for us.
“But I could not have asked for anymore. The lads really applied themselves and were a goal up within the first minute and then scored another on the third minute which really set the tone.
“We had a set back in the 20th minute when we lost Ollie Booth, but the lads responded and we played really well.”
