SEVENTH HEAVEN . . . Mark Northcott struck seven goals in the 9-3 demolition of BridgnorthBURTON beat Bridgnorth by an impressive 9-3 scoreline on Saturday (March 16).
In a game that meant little to either side, Burton simply wanted it more, and after weathering some early pressure the Reds & Greens looked a class above the hosts.
Burton took the lead after 10 minutes, which at that time was very much against the run of play, when Mark Northcott slammed a drag-flick beyond the helpless Bridgnorth keeper.
The visitors added goals number two and three shortly after to give Northcott a quick-fire hat-trick in the space of just five minutes.
With Burton firmly in control of the, game the visitors were able to dictate play and settle into their own style of hockey.
Danny Hibbert was tearing up Bridgnorth down the left hand side while James Margetson was doing the same through the middle – in what was easily both players’ best performance of the season.
Northcott then added goals four and five to cap off a great half of hockey for the Reds & Greens and came in 5-0 up, with Northcott firing on all cylinders and scoring at will.
Burton continued their dominance into the opening stages of the second half and refused to let Bridgnorth into the game.
From the restart Northcott sent an aerial ball forward. Rob Wright blitzed his man for pace, reaching the ball first before beating two players only to then run out of space as the keeper made the save.
Burton continued to press Bridgnorth and added goal number six after some good inter-play gave Richard Stringer a chance to score on his final game at Shobnall.
Northcott made it 7-0 from open play before Bridgnorth got themselves on the scoresheet.
The hosts were simply playing for pride but did manage to pull three goals back in all, before Wright got in on the goalscoring act to finish off a great team effort.
Northcott capped off a brilliant performance by netting his side’s seventh to complete a dominant 9-3 score-line – with the hosts still slightly flattered by their three goals.
Burton will now end the season with at least 36 points and could potentially turn that into 39 with a win against South Nottingham in the final game of the season.
This Saturday’s match will not only be the final match for Richard Stringer, who retires at the end of the season, but also for Nick Lathbury, Danny Hibbert and James Margetson who all depart for university in September.
Skipper Paul Scarborough will also leaves at the end of the season after moving out of the area last month.
Burton will look to give all five a winning send off by ending the season on a high with victory over the Nottinghamshire outfit.
