MIKE Foster hit the hat-trick trail as title-chasing Tenbury United pulled a massive 11 points clear at the head of the Herefordshire League Premier Division.

Foster, recently back from a hamstring injury, took his tally to five goals in the last two games with a terrific treble in a hard-fought 5-3 win at Westfields Reserves.

Co-boss Nick Stocker was delighted with the United display, enthusing that his team played “some of our best football for a number of years.”

He beamed: "The speed and power we showed at times in the first half was awesome and it’s what I’ve been looking for all season. We could have scored more and really should have but credit to Westfield, they are a good young side who never gave up.

“And having two strikers who are both on song is excellent. Mike and Dale Withers are doing the business for us.”

United fell behind against the run of play when Westfields hit them with a classic counter attack. But they responded with 20 minutes of incredible action - in which they scored four times.

John Bradley crossed for Foster to power in the equaliser and moments later hitman Foster added a second, beating his marker and firing low past the home keeper.

Joint-manager Aaron Morris then scored the goal of the game, picking the ball up deep in his own half and running the whole length of the pitch before delicately chipping home a pearler.

Simon Newhill made it 4-1 with his first goal of the season, collecting a loose ball on the edge of the area and seeing his shot go through a crowd of players into the top corner.

Battling Westfields refused to buckle and pulled a goal back before the break before scoring again to make it 4-3 in the second half. But Foster was on hand to complete his treble 15 minutes from the end and seal victory for Tenbury.

United, who are without a fixture this weekend because of a hospital fundraising event, now have 28 points from 11 matches, and only have nine league games left. Wellington Reserves, who drew 1-1 at Palmer's Meadow earlier in the season, look to be their only serious challengers, and they currently sit second with 17 points from seven matches.