SAM Madeley timed perfectly a moment to score his first goals for Winsford United when his hat-trick saw off West Didsbury & Chorlton on Saturday.
Blues moved four points clear of the relegation zone as a result.
The front man was decisive, glancing a header into the net from player-manager Lee Duckworth’s free-kick three minutes after the visitors had drawn level at 2-2 from a contested penalty.
Confidence high, Madeley might have added a fourth goal to his personal tally too after Lee Jones’ pass split the defence.
However goalkeeper Marcus Burgess produced his best to deny him.
Duckworth himself fired off target before substitute Adil Ajmal was next to be thwarted by West’s number one after resisting attempts by a defender to trip him.
Blues, forced to switch midfielder Kyle McGonigle to a role in defence after Steve Jenyons succumbed to an injury, had started slowly.
And they fell behind on 22 minutes when Tom Bailey converted from the spot after custodian Josh Samberg was judged by the referee to have caused former Winsford attacker Danny McLaughlin to tumble inside the penalty are.
Shorn of in-form striker Dave Short, who was serving a suspension, Winsford struggled initially to respond.
Instead they were grateful to Samberg when he prevented Jamie Coombes from doubling West’s lead.
Blues were better after the break and Madeley opened his account on 52 minutes, firing across Burgess after running onto Joe Duckworth’s assist.
A second goal followed on the hour when he leapt to head Lee Duckworth’s set-piece into the net.
West were presented with an opportunity to restore parity though when Perry Bircumshaw made contact with McLaughlin after clearing a through-ball.
The match official decided it was enough to award a penalty and Bailey stepped up to score.
Winsford’s riposte was swift, and Madeley turned their anger to elation.
Winsford | Samberg (GK), Clarke, Lee Duckworth, Elliott, McGonigle, Foster, Gill, Jones, Joe Duckworth (Ajmal 84), Madeley (Collinson 88), Bircumshaw Subs not used Waller, Jenyons Goals Madeley 52, 60, 69 Booked Madeley
West | Burgess (GK), Marsh (Tinker 70), Pearson, Sergeant (Dixon 70), Eiselt, Horner, Bourne, Eckersley, Bailey, Coombes (Shanganya 79), McLaughlin Subs not used Miranda, Tsegay Goals Bailey 22, 66 (both penalties) Booked Marsh, Horner, Pearson
Attendance 220
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