JOE Grant bagged a hat-trick as Bracknell Town hammered Ashford Town 5-0 on Saturday to maintain their unbeaten record in the Bostik League South Central Division.

The Robins have now taken the maximum points from six games and lead the table with a three-point advantage over second-placed Waltham Abbey and seven ahead of Cheshunt who are third.

Making their first visit to Short Lane since April 2006 when they won 2-0, Town never looked back after taking an 11th-minute lead.

They did have an early scare, forcing Matt Day to make a goal-line clearance, but a swift counter-attack led to Grant blasting them ahead in the 11th minute with a left-footed effort from close range.

Midway through the half Bracknell were forced to make a change with Adam Cornell suffering a facial injury and being replaced by Gavin James.

Their Middlesex hosts finished the half well with Nebay Halle racing clean through, only to shoot wide of the far post and then keeper Mark Scott having to make a smart save following a corner.

That was the nearest Ashford got, as the Robins quickly took control in the second half with a devastating period of clinical finishing.

Five minutes after the break, Scott’s long goal kick found James, who smashed it first time across keeper Brannon Daly into the back of the net.

Grant extended the lead in the 58th minute and two minutes later completed his hat-trick after Liam Ferdinand had made ground down the flank and pulled the ball back for Grant to turn past Daly.

On 70 minutes Grant turned provider, with Ferdinand volleying home the fifth goal, his seventh in the league this season.

Bracknell were scheduled to play Egham last night (Tuesday), but it was called off as the Surrey side were involved in an FA Cup replay at Brightlingsea Regent.

Unless a fixture is arranged at short notice, Town also have this Saturday off as it is FA Trophy day and they do not come into the competition until October 13 when they will be away to Ashford United or Haywards Heath – both members of the Bostik League South East Division – in the preliminary round.

  • THERE were two goals apiece for Harry Dutson and Quincy Patterson as Bracknell Town defeated Basingstoke Town 5-1 in the Junior Premier League with Oscar Sampson adding the other.

Seven different players put their name on the goal-sheet as Bracknell Town Robins U10 slammed Staines Town Juniors 13-1 in the Surrey Youth League.

Lucas Jacobs led the rout with four goals, Sam Lynskey, Lucas Daka and Matteo Solinas all netted twice, with Alfie Heaver, Aron Preprah and Rocky Johnstone each getting one.

Bracknell Youth U10s beat Woking Cougars 4-0 thanks to goals from Joseph Callow, Frank Turner, Harry Welch and Alife Platt.

Town's U11s defeated Epsom & Ewell Colts 4-0 with Bertie Saunders bagging a brace, adding to Jayden Johnson's strike and an own goal.

Bracknell U12s skipper Mile Swanton inspired his side with four goals to an 11-0 thrashing of Leatherhead. Josh McMahon also scored four with Rayane Azib (2) and Nathan Bond also on target.

Ethan Hill grabbed a hat-trick as Bracknell U13s downed AFC Kingston 7-2. The other marksmen were Bobby Emery (2), Jake Cook and Kyle Olive.

At U15 level, Bracknell Town defeated Old Isleworthians Whites 6-1, the goals coming from Sam Warren, Joe Warren, Lewis Campbell, Jude Steinborn-Busse, Connor Gonzalez and Rueben Doherty.