Dandy Town 5

Southampton Rangers 3

Nahki Wells went on a scoring binge as Dandy Town made quick work of Southampton Rangers at BAA Field yesterday.

Although the scoreline suggests the match was close, the winner was never in doubt after the hosts jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the opening 24 minutes.

With the match being moved to BAA from St. John's Field due to a waterlogged pitch, it was Wells who stamped his authority from the opening whistle, helping himself to four goals while Lashun Dill also grabbed one for Town.

Rangers replied through Morricko Iris, Jermaine Dill and an own goal.

With the league winding down to two match days remaining, it was crucial that the St. John's Road side got the three points to continue to apply pressure to leaders North Village who are one point above them.

Wells got the action rolling when his through ball supplied Dill with a clear run on goal.

The pacey winger beat Rangers goalkeeper Jason Smith and bundled his effort home with a defender on his back in the 11th minute.

It was then Dill who turned supplier, curling a tantalising cross into the area from the right that was met by Wells who had the simple task of heading home from close range.

Well grabbed his second on 27 minutes when he curled a free kick over the wall and into Smith's near post, leaving the net minder a spectator and the score 3-0 before the half-hour mark.

Iris breathed life back into the match on 43 minutes with a stunning strike from the outside of the boot that beat Mikkail Crockwell from 20 yards out.

The match was over as a contest in injury time with Wells netted his hat-trick in fine fashion.

After receiving a square ball from younger brother Ricco who had a day to remember as well, the senior planted his effort into the far corner to make it 4-1at the half.

But he wasn't done there, as his fourth was a simple tap in on 55 minutes to put the match beyond any doubt.

Defender George Dyer than turned a corner into his own net under pressure from Rangers skipper Kamen Tucker to make it 5-2 and then referee Ronue Cann blew for a penalty after Jah Charles was adjudged to have been bought down by Crockwell in the area.

In an unconventional penalty, Tucker touched the ball in a forward motion to ensure it cover one entire revolution and Dill rushed in to slot his chance home.

It was too little too late, however, as the visitors had already dug themselves too big of a hole.

After the match, Town skipper Jared Peniston said his side would fight to the end in hope of taking advantage of any North Village slip up.

"We will play to the end," said Peniston. "If they fall in their final matches we must be there to take advantage of any mistakes."

Dandy Town: M.Crockwell, P.Anderson (T.Russell,33), J.Peniston, G.Dyer, S.DeShields, S.Brown, L.Dill (L.Tucker,75), D.Ming, N.Wells, R.Wells, J.Swan

Substitutes not used: R.Beach

Yellow cards: M.Crockwell

Goals: Wells, 23, 27,45, 55, Dill,11

Southampton Rangers: J.Smith, K.Simons, M.Wlliams, A.Raynor, J.Charles, J.Dill, K.Tucker, J.Raynor, M.Iris (T.Brown,81), K.Smith, D.Russell

Goals: Iris,43, Dyer,74, Dill77

Yellow cards: M.Iris

Referee: R.Cann

Man of the Match: N.Wells