MATT Cruse scored his first hat-trick for Ardley United in their convincing 6-3 victory over visitors Highmoor-Ibis on Saturday, writes DALE JAMES.

But boss Paul Davis was far from satisfied after seeing his side concede three goals in Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division clash

He said: “We take the positives from the game having scored six goals. We’ve had 24 shots of which13 were on target, so going forward we’re happy we’ve played well.

“But defensively we’ve gone back a few steps.

“We have these lapses of concentration and it’s cost us three goals.”

Ardley, with Sergio Guerrero an influence in midfield, got off to a flying start when Jack Heap fired into the empty net after three minutes.

They doubled the lead on 28 minutes. Leam Howards got away down the left, and fed Cruse, who ran on and smashed the ball home.

Trailing 2-0 at the break, Highmoor pulled a goal back five minutes into the second half though former Oxford City striker Yashwa Romeo.

Howards restored Ardley’s two-goal cushion on the hour after being set up by Heap, but the visitors refused to lie down and scored through Liam Gavin’s header.

Troy Bryan made it 4-2, converting Chris Jackson’s downward header from a corner.

Cruse then scored his second goal. After collecting a stray ball out on the right touchline, he fired home from a tight angle.

He completed his hat-trick by firing through the narrowest of gaps after Howards’s shot rebounded to him off a defender.

Rhys York added a late consolation for Highmoor two minutes from time.

Ardley were denied a chance to maintain their momentum, when Tuesday night’s match at home to Bracknell Town was called off due to a frozen pitch.

Their next match is away to Henley Town this Saturday.

Ardley Utd: Farrow Cray, Foster, McCarthy (Locker 82), Jackson, Walcott, Cruse, Guerrero, Howards, Heap, Bryan (Knight 77). Sub not used: McEachran.

Attendance: 52.

l Bicester Town went down 3-2 away to Chalfont Wasps in Division 1 East on Saturday.

Cameron MacPherson and Kieran Scott scored for Bicester, who trailed 2-1 at half-time.

This Saturday they are at home to Finchampstead.