Magnificent seven for Tait

HITMAN Kristian Ventress (left) scored twice in Uppermill’s 7-1 win against Holmbridge.

FOOTBALL: UPPERMILL thrashed promoted Holmbridge 7-1 in the Huddersfield and District League Division One.

Simon Tait’s side took the lead after three minutes. Murray Hill’s corner found Gareth Chew, whose header went in off the underside of the crossbar.

Bobby Greenwood had a volley harshly chalked out for offside before the visitors equalised with 18 minutes on the clock, courtesy of a fine counterattack.

Nick Fitzpatrick thought he had netted for Uppermill after beating three men and chipping the goalkeeper, only to see a Holmbridge defender dash back and clear off the line.

But they did regain the lead after 34 minutes when Fitzpatrick was felled in the box and Kristian Ventress dispatched the resultant penalty.

The home outfit increased their advantage seven minutes after the restart, Ventress firing in after good work from Andrew Pheby.

Almost immediately Chew nodded home James Mooney’s pinpoint cross, and just after the hour mark Chris Moores converted Fitzpatrick’s delivery.

With 13 minutes remaining a Holmbridge stopper handled in the area, allowing Chew to step up and complete his hat-trick from the penalty spot.

Two goals in the last five minutes — a close range effort from Fitzpatrick and Chew’s far-post finish — put the icing on the cake for Tait’s men.

In the biggest game of the season so far, Uppermill welcome reigning champions Hepworth to Greenfield Paper Mill tomorrow (2.15pm kick-off).

While Hepworth won both league games last term, Uppermill knocked them out of the Barlow Cup and Huddersfield and District FA Cup.

Elsewhere, Division Two action saw Heyside come from 3-0 down to see off Skelmanthorpe 5-3.

Leon Perry struck twice and was joined on the scoresheet by James Taylor, James Leonard and Kane Lees.

In Reserves Division Two, Heyside won 5-0 at Skelmanthorpe through goals from Matthew Nokes, John Hickey, Mark Kingsley, Luke Hancock and Matthew Peers.