Toolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division: Staveley MW 3 Liversedge 1

A KIEREN Watson hat-trick put the skids under Liversedge as Staveley banked all three points from the Clayborners’ visit but it was a spirited display from Jonathan Rimmington’s men.

Sedge remain rooted to the foot of the table after their defeat on the road but it was only the halfway point of their season, and they have games in hand on the four clubs immediately above them in the table.

The boss feels there is more to come from his ever-evolving squad of players, and said: “We played really well and didn’t deserve to get beaten by one of the top teams in this division.

“I know Staveley are around the mid-table mark but they are a very good side and have everything in place to make a challenge for promotion.

"We worked our socks off and I got Adam Jones in, a new lad in who is from Bradford, and in his first game today he did very well.

“It was a big blow for us when Anthony Hilton got injured very early on.

"When you lose your centre half so soon in a game and have to reorganise it’s always difficult and they went in front within minutes of that.

“Soon after they got a penalty for a foul in the area, and I think it was one to be honest so no complaints there.

"The lad who we had moved from right back to cover for Anthony did foul their lad, but he was still getting his bearings so there’s no blame.”

Staveley’s Watson broke the deadlock when he capitalised on a defence reorganising itself.

It was a good passing move from the home side that carved open Sedge’s back line, and Watson was clinical.

The home side’s Courtney Hastings was brought down in the area before Watson doubled his tally with a well-struck penalty.

Sedge pulled a goal back before the hour mark through Max Elliott but Watson profited from a poor clearance by the Sedge defence to claim his treble.

Rimmington added: “We should have scored in the first half and we played even better in the second half.

"We had five really good chances, and Mark Lumb, another new lad we have got in who learned his trade with Rotherham United, was pulled back in the box.

“We also hit the bar and had them under the cosh just before they got their third.

"You know it’s not your day when you’re having the better of the game and they go further in front from your mistake.

“It’s a difficult period for us but we’ll be okay, I’m sure of that.

"We have got some great lads in and they have the talent to get this club enough points to be safe.”