CHARLIE Wragg scored a quickfire hat-trick as Stratford Town cruised to a 4-1 home victory against Bishop’s Stortford in midweek.
Wragg scored a 14-minute treble to put the Bards in command before Owen James extended the home side’s lead at the Arden Garages Stadium.
A late goal from Cole Dasilva reduced the deficit but the Bards comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to return to winning ways.
The result means Stratford sit eighth in the Southern League Premier Central table, three points outside of the play-off places.
Bards boss Paul Davis started Dan Jezeph in goal with regular shot-stopper Jake Weaver unavailable.
And with Lewis Ludford-Ison out injured and Dan Lafferty suspended, Davis was forced into further personnel changes as Wragg and Max Lott started from the off.
The visitors almost caught the home side inside the first minute when Charlie Johnson looked to pounce on Paul McCone’s stray pass only for Jezeph to rescue the situation.
However, Wragg broke the deadlock on 35 minutes with a sublime effort from 25-yards out.
And Wragg doubled his tally for the game four minutes later when he finished unmarked from close range after good work from Josh Hawker and Lott.
The Bards almost extended their lead before the break as McCone saw his header cleared off the line from a corner.
And Wragg completed his hat-trick after the interval on 49 minutes when he cut in from the left and arrowed a shot across goal and into the net from Lamine Sherif’s pass.
The Bards made sure of the points on 64 minutes as Lott released James and the forward duly put the home side into a four-goal lead.
The visitors scored a consolation goal seven minutes from time when Dasilva netted from the penalty spot as the Bards eased to a fifth straight home victory.
Stratford are next in action against Worcester City on Saturday, January 31 with kick-off at 3pm at Sixways Stadium.
