Jordan Hendley hits hat-trick in win for Bolsover Town

Jordan Hendley [left] celebrates his second of his hat-trick. Picture by Martin Roberts.

It pushed his side to third spot in The Essential Site Skills Division Two table before the festive break.

In a highly entertaining but goal-less first half on an excellent playing surface it was Pilsley, who started the strongest with Sam Hollett seeing Luke Roe save.

But slowly Bolsover forced their way into the game with Tim Garfoot making Devan Merryweather save.

Just past the half hour mark Merryweather was called on again blocking a Hendley effort before he struck the loose ball against the crossbar.

As half-time arrived with the home side in the ascendancy it was Garfoot who found the Pilsley number one denying him again and then from an excellent low cross from Joshua Nicholls whoagonisingly fired over from close range.

The second half started were it had left off with Garfoot going close and as the ball ricocheted around a deflection of Alex Martin in the Pilsley defence was cleared off the line.

Before Hendley could get off the mark he once again found Meryweather in excellent form with another sharp save.

The breakthrough came on 65 minutes when Nicholls powered down the left and supplied Hendley, who spun on the ball and fired home to settle the Bolsover nerves. As the pressure mounted on the Pilsley defence Jack Wynn went close with a header before Luke Knightley unleashed a 25 yard effort that Merryweather flew across his goal to save.

And the visiting number one was earning his man-of-the-match award when he saved from Nicholls before Hendley fired the follow up over the bar.

There was always the danger of a Pilsley breakaway and when Merryweather denied Nicholls again you did wonder, however with four minutes remaining a little relaxation was allowed thanks to Hendley who secured his and Bolsover’s second with a 14 yard shot that took a sharp deflection.

The three points were finally secured on 90 minutes when Alex Carrington saw his cross strike the hand of Malc Jelley referee Roberts adjudged it handball and Hendley swept home the spot kick to complete his hat-trick.