Winchester City 6, Liss Athletic 0

ANDREW FORBES continued his sensational scoring form this week, hitting consecutive hat tricks against hapless Liss in the space of four days at the City Ground, writes Ian Henderson.

They took his tally to 16 goals in nine games since joining Winchester City from Andover for an £8,000 fee earlier this season.

Last Saturday's trio against the north east Hampshire club helped City to a 4 - nil win and earned them a trip to Jersey on November 2nd in the second round of the Hampshire Senior Cup.

Their opponents will be the Jersey League champions St Peter's.

Forbes scored twice in the first half and completed his hat trick, which included two headers, just before the end after Jason Ahmet had driven home the third goal from 20 yards.

Then, on Tuesday night, the 23-year-old Forbes cracked another trio in an amazing seven minute spell at the of the Hampshire Premier League game between the two sides.

With five minutes to go, City were leading 2 - nil and had wasted a series of chances to add to first half headers from Paul Nelson and defender Dave Goss.

But when Forbes sidefooted in a cross from Michael Jackson for the third the floodgates opened as plucky Liss just ran out of steam.

Within a minute, Jackson headed home substitute Kevin Brewster's corner and then another fine Brewster cross found Forbes at the far post to nod in number five.

As if three goals in as many minutes wasn't enough, Forbes completed his hat-trick in injury time as he rounded goalkeeper Hughes to slot home.

The result takes City's record to 13 wins in as many competitive games this season and it's hard to see how such a talented side can be tripped up.

They were seldom troubled at the back where Goss and skipper Danny Smith were in command, while full back Steve Waite provided crosses for both first half goals and Matt Bicknell was a constant threat down the left.

Midfielders Gary Green, Lloyd Webber and Ahmet bossed the show, but strikers Forbes and Nelson missed a series of chances before that late avalanche.

Forbes said later he was 'disappointed' with his performance.

But manager John Robson commented: "If he's disappointed after scoring a hat-trick and we win 6 - nil then I'm not too worried!"

Jackson, who came on for Waite after 62 minutes, also missed several good opportunities, but finally came good with his late goal.

He's available for tomorrow's home league match against Petersfield, but begins a 14-day suspension on Monday.

* City's Reserves, the Hampshire Intermediate Cup holders, made hard work of beating a spirited Hartley Wintney Reserves side in the first round of this year's competition.

The only goal of the game came when extra-time looked on the cards. Nick Kemp's through ball caught the home defence square, and Gavin Flye ran from the halfway line to show his strikers how to finish.

City Reserves did better on Wednesday night, beating Hampshire Premier Division side AFC Aldermaston by a massive 14 - 1 scoreline in the North Hants Senior Cup! Matt Owen and Kevin Brewster were the stars of the show with four goals apiece.