A RYAN Morris hat-trick helped Tenbury United return to a 6-1 demolition of Hereford Lads Club Reserves in the Premier Division of the Herefordshire League.

But had it not been for a penalty save from Luke Gill early in the second half it could have been a different story as the rock bottom visitors looked to add to their meagre points tally.

“There wasn’t a lot in it first half and we weren’t playing at our best,” joint manager Nick Stocker admitted.

“We’d opened the scoring after five minutes with an Aaron Morris penalty before Ryan [Morris] has scored from about 30 yards.

“They’ve pulled a goal back just before the break and then they were awarded a penalty early in the second half which Luke Gill has saved.

"They were on top at that point but within a few minutes we’ve gone and scored a third through Mark Boucker.”

Boucker added another with Ryan Morris completing his treble, the third of which was a delightful solo effort that saw him pick the ball up in his own half before weaving his way towards goal and firing past the Lads’ keeper.

United had a number of players missing with Gavin Podmore unavailable through work and Lee Millerchip and Mike Foster ruled out through illness. But Stocker was pleased with the way other players stepped up to the mark.

“With those three out it gave us the chance to give other lads a game who have missed out in recent weeks,” the joint boss said.

“Rob Hill had been on the bench the last few matches but he played in the centre of midfield and controlled the game. Toby Gittens made his first start as did Jordan Morris who is only 17 but has great potential.”

United welcome old rivals Orleton Colts to Palmers Meadow on Saturday and while Stocker is expecting to have a full squad available, he added he may stick with the team that took the points at the weekend.

“Orelton might not be having the best of times but we always seem to struggle against them,” he said. “Before Tenbury Town came into the league, this was always our local derby and both sides will be up for it.

“When players have missed matches in the past we’ve had a policy not to start them in the next game so we could have a very strong bench on Saturday.”

Tenbury Town played their first game in three weeks and it seemed the break did them good as they beat an in-form Hinton 4-3.

Two goals from Ian Patterson and a Dean Morris strike handed Town a 3-1 interval lead and although the visitors clawed their way back to 3-3, Morris had the final word when he scored his second, this time from the penalty spot.

After a trip to Leominster Town on Wednesday, Town have another home game this weekend when they take on Ledbury Town.