A JOE Grant hat-trick and a blistering opening quarter of the match secured Ascot United a 4-2 win against Brimscombe & Thrupp in the Hellenic League Premier Division on Saturday, writes Richard Ashton.

Ascot took the lead after just six minutes, albeit a contender for the scrappiest goal of the season. Lee Boon earned his side a corner, Paul Coyne swung the ball across, and Grant stabbed home from a yard out after Boon had hit the post from inside the six-yard box following Samir Regragui’s earlier header.

Grant should have added a second after Boon’s excellent interception and cross had created a 15th minute opportunity, but the Yellamen would soon be 3-0 ahead after two exquisite goals where Boon was pivotal in the build-up.

Firstly, Boon raced onto Dave Hancock’s through ball and played a perfectly weighted early pass into Grant, who took the ball on his chest and slotted past Steve Sparrow. Then, Coyne played the ball forward from a similar position, Boon cut the ball back, and Regragui converted from inside the six-yard box.

Both Regragui and Tom Hedges saw efforts whistle narrowly wide of the right-hand post midway through the half, whereas with 30 minutes played the visitors had offered surprisingly nothing. Matty Blythe did at least get a free-kick on target for them 10 minutes before the break, but the game otherwise drifted into the interval.

Ascot were quickly into their stride after the restart through Hancock’s long-range effort which was saved by Sparrow.

At the other end, Tom Black shot straight at Chris Grace as the visitors started to threaten, and they would ultimately cut the deficit after 70 minutes when Sam Blackie headed home Christien Turner’s flick-on from Blythe’s corner.

Before that, Coyne had shot wide after good work from substitute Daryl Mclean and Grant shaved the top of the bar after 57 minutes. The same player was involved in a fine move with Mclean and Coyne after 66 minutes when the former’s shot was saved by Sparrow.

However, the visitors’ hopes of a comeback were expelled with just over 15 minutes remaining when Grant wrapped up his hat-trick; coolly rolling home to make it 4-1 after racing onto Tom McGarry’s long ball and rounding Sparrow, who had raced out of his area.

James Goodey replaced Regragui for the final 15 minutes and he soon squared for Coyne, who scuffed his shot when well placed.

Blackie reduced the deficit again with eight minutes remaining, the striker was well placed to hammer home following a cross from the right wing, but there would be no threat of a grandstand finale and the home side ran out comfortable 4-2 winners.

Ascot host Flackwell Heath in the Perpetua Press Cup semi final tonight (7.45pm) before travelling to Royal Wootton Bassett on Saturday (3pm). They visit Binfield on Easter Monday (3pm).