ADAM Rooney’s sensational hat-trick helped Stratford Town to a comfortable 4-0 win against Cleethorpes Town as the Bards advanced to the next round of the FA Cup.
Rooney completed his treble in the space of just 18 minutes, either side of half time, with Dan Lafferty adding a late fourth goal at the myenergi Stadium.
And Stratford have been rewarded with a home tie against Banbury United in Second Round Qualifying with the game scheduled for Saturday, September 17 at the Arden Garages Stadium.
The game burst into life on 42 minutes when Rooney produced a clinical finish to give Stratford the lead from Jack Storer’s defence splitting pass.
And the Bards survived a scare at the other end before Rooney doubled his and Stratford’s tally on 50 minutes with another emphatic finish after he found space in the Cleethorpes box.
Rooney completed his hat-trick on the hour mark with a simple tap in from close range after good work down the right from Lafferty.
And Lafferty then added his name to the scoresheet on 80 minutes with arguably the pick of the goals as his effort dipped and swerved past the Cleethorpes goalkeeper from the edge of the penalty area.
Stratford are next in action away at Leiston on Saturday, September 10 with kick-off at 3pm at Victory Road.
