MIKE JEPPS bagged a hat trick as this season's Kexborough Under 17s bid to continue their impressive climb through the RCD League ladder with a 5-1 win over Rastrick.
The team have shown continued improvement and consistency over the last four years.
They began by reaching the top division of the Under 14s, followed by a sixth-placed finish in the Under 15s and then, last season, a creditable fourth in the Under 16s.
Winning the title is tough at any age group, but second place after two wins and a draw from three games shows Kexborough are set to give it a go.
Both sides opted for all-out attack, and only the woodwork prevented early goals as first a Rastrick shot rebounded from the bar then, at the other end, Jepps was similarly unlucky before teammate Lee Winslow crashed a shot against an upright.
The inevitable first goal arrived after 10 minutes when Ben Parkin set up Ashley O'Callaghan to drive the ball into the bottom corner of the Rastrick net.
The goal only boosted Rastrick who produced their best period of the game and, only a superb Tom Ripley tackle kept Matt Walker at bay as the home side went in search of an equaliser which finally arrived after 20 minutes.
Although Oliver Corcoran saved Matty Wilson’s initial low drive, the Kexborough keeper could only parry the ball back into the path of the Rastrick striker, who was left with a simple tap in to level the scores.
Kexborough were instructed to “win the game in the first 10 minutes” as they took to the field for the second half and they followed their manager's instructions to the letter.
The home defence had coped well in the first half but they were caught napping when a throw-in found Jepps, who calmly stroked the ball into the bottom corner to restore Kexborough’s lead.
A Jake Battye left-wing cross led to the next goal when Jepps rose at the far post to head home Kexborough’s third.
By now the home side had begun to lose their composure and were reduced to making the occasional foray into their opponents’ half, meanwhile Kexborough were in full flow and when Jepps completed his hat trick on the hour mark, there was no way back for the Brighouse side.
With a little more support, Jack Barker might have made more of a couple of half chances to reduce the deficit but, despite a determined effort, the Rastrick striker was unable to find the target.
A Ripley header in the dying minutes of the game completed the scoring to leave Kexborough unbeaten in their first three games.
