TOMMY HIGGINS earned the man of the match accolade with a hat-trick, as Highridge were given a lesson in counter attacking play by Kingswood.

Gavin Dibden had the first chance of the game as early as the fifth minute, found by his strike partner Higgins, but the chance was well saved by ex-England under-19 goalkeeper Ray Johnson.

Highridge took control though with Chris Fox once again in super form between the home posts, while the rearguard of Compton, Rae, Abbott and Eldridge held firm.

Kingswood battled on and their togetherness and team spirit was rewarded on 42 minutes when Ian Mills spun while on the floor in the penalty area and was able to guide the ball into the path of Higgins to stab the ball home.

Highridge were reduced to ten men at half-time after Craig Hopkins was sent off for using inappropriate language at the referee.

On 65 minutes Higgins led the charge and found Dibden, who struck his shot into the bottom corner past Johnson for 2-0.

The home side extended their advantage on 69 minutes as Dibden broke with pace down the left and played a wonderful precise pass into the stride of Higgins on the opposite side of the pitch, whose shot nestled into the bottom corner.

The fourth came on 74 minutes, as Paul Eldridge ran down the left flank and found Dibden in space, who put in Higgins to complete his hat-trick.

Highridge were finally rewarded with a consolation goal in added time when Adam Eldridge mis-timed his tackle in the box on Shane Hobbs, who got up and stroked the resultant penalty past Fox.

Kingswood assistant manager Dan Johnson said: “We are very happy with this result, we rode our luck at times, especially early on, but the guys dug in and were rewarded.

“Highridge are a good side and games like this can only help us gain more confidence in this league.”