Sunday football: Hughes makes history with double hat-trick

by Michael Baggaley

DRESDEN Park Rangers sharp-shooter Dave Hughes made club history as he scored all six goals in his team's epic 6-5 victory at Wolstanton Cavalier.

Hughes's heroics helped Dresden recover from 5-3 down to win – and left manager Gary Hopeley gobsmacked.

Hopeley said: "I've been managing Dresden for 20 years and I've never seen a game like it.

"I've never had a lad score six in a game before. He wasn't even playing up front. We had him on the right of midfield and he was putting a shift in to help out his defence.

"I just wish we'd got a tape of the game."

No matter, because the 19-year-old hit-man's exploits will live long in the memory of Wolstanton and Dresden players alike.

Hopeley said: "He scored his hat-trick within the first 25 minutes and there were some great goals.

"His first was a 30-yard bullet. Wolstanton have an excellent keeper, but he was beaten, diving full length.

"We watched it from the sidelines going in – and all we could say was 'Gordon Bennett'.

"For his third goal, he lobbed the ball over the centre-half with his right foot and then crashed it into the top corner with his left. It was a fabulous strike."

Hughes, from Chell Heath, is one of several new signings this season, although he was not on the manager's hit list in the summer.

Hopeley said: "I'd said I wanted some bigger players, so I was looking for six-footers.

"Dave is 5ft 2in and nine stone, but is a great lad.

"All the players gave him a round of applause at the end of the game and he was really embarrassed."

Hughes, who is unemployed, used to play up front for Norton United Under-18s, but had never had a day like this.

He said: "The most I'd scored before in a game was four. But, on Sunday, it just felt like I was scoring with anything that came to me. I think I only had seven shots, but six went in.

"I know the manager wanted bigger players, but I hoped if I turned up and played how I can, I would get in the team."

The win lifted Dresden out of the Premier Division relegation zone as Hopeley keeps his fingers crossed for a successful 20th-anniversary season.

He said: "I started off by just helping the lads out.

"I had been planning to have a break from football, but the lads kept pestering me into doing the job.

"Nick Walker, my secretary, and Gary Astbury, the treasurer, are brilliant and I also want to thank all the lads who have played for me over the years I have managed."

The 52-year-old manager's experience should make life easier 20 years on, along with the fact his club's registration rules have been relaxed.

He said: "Back then, our committee said all the players had to come from Dresden. But, if you had a girlfriend from Dresden, you were okay."

Premier Division Cup action saw Knave of Clubs win 9-0 at Old Corner Cupboard.

Craig Redgate bagged a hat-trick as Knave romped into the second round.

In Division Three, Kyle Hughes's hat-trick helped New Penny to the top of the table with a 6-2 win at Loggerheads.