Hat-trick hero Jordan Parkes fires the Tudors to victory over the Dragons

The Tudors sat six points adrift of Basingstoke at kick-off, but after a recent upturn in fortune, they looked to record their first home league victory of the campaign.

Dean Brennan’s side began where they left off last Saturday, as Parkes’ darting run led to a thunderous strike to break the deadlock early in the fourth minute.

However, an onslaught of Dragons’ pressure eventually paid off as Manny Williams was at hand to tuck home past a helpless Laurie Walker in the 35th minute to restore parity.

This was cancelled out moments later, however, as Parkes’ audacious effort from distance rocketed past Stuart Moore to regain the lead for the Tudors.

It was end to end stuff and a quick counter-attack caught the Tudors’ defence napping. They could only clear as far as Jamie Brown who instinctively toe poked home to draw level.

Jamal Lowe was then brought on by Brennan to immediate effect. His fresh legs left the Dragons’ defence in his wake and he tucked home at the second attempt to restore the Hemel advantage.

Minutes later, Parkes’ corner curved into the hands of Stuart Moore who could only fumble into his own net; leaving Parkes to celebrate a thoroughly deserved ha- trick.

Basingstoke then replied with what was only to be a consolation, as Chris Flood fired home. This result moves the Tudor’s within touching distance of the play-off places.

Man of the Match: Jordan Parkes

Entertainment rating: 4/5

Attendance: 557

Hemel: Walker, Adjaye, Connolly, Parkes, Johnson, Diarra, Talbott, Daly, Hawkins, Banton, Saunders

Subs; Lee, Simmonds, Potton, Thorne, Lowe

Basingstoke: Moore, Smart, Bird, Brown, Gasson, Ray, Harper, McAuley, Soares, Flood, Williams

Subs; Rice, Jenkinson, Owusu, Case, Smalley