Ruben Jerome moved AFC Emley Under 19’s one step closer to the title thanks to a hat trick in their 5-0 home win against Thackley.
Richard Spychalski’s team were untroubled by their opponents, who sit bottom of the Northern Alliance West Division, and now need only a point when they meet the same opposition again to seal the crown.
Callum McLoughlin and Tom Healey grabbed the other goals for Emley – who are also in their Cup final – after a prestige performance.
Jamal Hanson and Lewis Nicholls had chances before Jerome got his first, McLoughlin then finding space to fire the second.
Connor Tuff went off at half time injured, giving Healey his chance, and it wasn’t long before Jerome struck again after Nicholls’ shot had been blocked.
He completed his hat trick on the hour mark and Healey rounded off the scoring 20 minutes from time with a shot from the edge of the box.
