Gregory bags hat-trick as Town finish with a flourish

RICHARD Gregory claimed a hat-trick as Stratford Town finished their season with a flourish at the DCS Stadium on Tuesday night.

Town's top scorer made it five goals in his last three games as Town beat Cambridge City 5-2, a result that sees them finish 19th in the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division.

Stratford got off to a flying start in the third minute when man-of-the-match Gregory put Jamie Sheldon into space on the left.

The midfielder composed himself before unleashing a shot into the top corner of the net over goalkeeper Zac Barrett.

Town have struggled in front of goal this year, but Sheldon's early strike certainly settled the nerves and the home side looked dangerous with every attack.

They doubled their lead in the 13th minute when Gregory coolly slotted home Gary Moran's cross from the right.

Cambridge gradually fought their way back into the game and deservedly pulled a goal back through James Hall before half-time.

Chances continued for both sides in the second half, but it was that combination of Moran and Gregory that provided Town's third.

Moran's cross was met by Gregory and the striker was allowed time to weigh up his shot before drilling the ball into the corner of Barrett's goal.

Just as Town looked to be sailing to victory, Cambridge hit back again with ten minutes to play.

Buster Harradine's fierce free-kick was parried by Andy Kemp and Neil Midgley was in the right place to head home the rebound and make it 3-2.

Any worries over a possible Cambridge comeback ended when Gregory completed his hat-trick six minutes later.

Moran's deep cross from the right was met by Gregory at the back post, who headed home his 14th of the season.

Town were not finished there and within a minute Mark Magee scored a well-earned fifth after he was put through by the tireless Tyrone Fagan.

Stratford Town: Andy Kemp, Gary Moran, Michael McGrath, Marcel Simpson, Liam Francis, Jack Roberts, Mark Magee, Aaron Moses-Garvey, Tyrone Fagan, Richard Gregory, Jamie Sheldon. Subs not used: Dior Angus, Simeon Tulloch, Anthony Charles, Charlie Faulker, Charlie Evans.

Cambridge City: Zac Barrett, Paul Cooper, Charlie Day, Danny Kelly (Tommy Horton 58), Lee Chaffey, Jon Kaye, Alisdair Richardson, Buster Harradine (c), James Hall (Neil Midgley 58), Charlie Wolfe, Benito Castiglione. Subs not used: Robbie Ponting.

Full match report and reaction in this week's Herald