Lancaster City 6-1 Ossett Albion

After an even first period Phil Brown’s side exploded into life after the break, hitting six of the best to move within two points of the Evo-Stik First Division North top five.

Clark’s early opener was soon cancelled out by Connor Brunt on the quarter hour but City then hit five without reply in the second half.

Clark added three more in a stunning display with Billy Akrigg and debutant Bobby Langford also on target.

Lancaster couldn’t have asked for a better start as they found themselves in front just two minutes in.

Clark managed to get the ball into the net at the second time of asking, scoring after Ossett ‘keeper Brett Souter had made a good save to deny him just moments before.

However, City allowed Ossett into the game and the score was 1-1 15 minutes in.

Brunt latched onto a superb through ball, took on a City defender, and slotted home past the fingertips of Hale.

This seemed to knock the energy out of Lancaster and for the remainder of the first half they looked shaky at the back and it took several last-ditch challenges to keep the opposition at bay.

Clear-cut chances were few and far between though with no sign of what was to come after the interval.

The Dolly Blues came back out after the break with clear intent and within 10 minutes they were back in front through Akrigg, the midfielder skilfully rounding Souter and putting the ball into the empty net to put Lancaster back in front.

It wasn’t long before Lancaster had their third as Craig Carney’s floated cross was allowed to reach Clark who flicked the ball into the Ossett goal from three yards.

What had been a scrappy game in the first half had been turned on its head by City in the second.

And shortly after, Clark had his hat-trick, the match ball and the man of the match award as he headed in from an acute angle after Carney’s shot was saved well by Souter.

With the score at 4-1 and the Blues out of sight, Ossett tried to shut up shop.

They made two substitutions to try to stop any more goals being conceded but it was to no avail as they simply couldn’t contain Clark and he got his fourth, the pick of the bunch, and City’s fifth after some brilliant individual work.

Lancaster showed no mercy and with time almost up Langford completed what was a superb day at the office for City as he smashed the ball past Souter to complete the scoring.

Lancaster City: Hale, Gregory, Davis, Watson, Marshall, Mercer (Clark), Winder, Akrigg, Carlton (Langford), Carney, Clark (Shearwood). Subs not used: Cummings, Rodgerson.

Ossett Albion: Souter, Dawson, Thompson, Sharry (Lyn), South, Nicholson, Muller (Jones), Paylor, Brunt, Eyles (Bordman), Matthews. Subs not used: Potter, Hardaker.

Referee: Richard Holmes.

Attendance: 222.