James stars as Market Rasen U12s rout HBW

By the midpoint of the first half, Rasen could have led by at least three goals, but it took solid build-up play before they were finally rewarded for their efforts.

Freddy Espin received a good pass and fired a shot from the left into the back of the net.

Fortunes changed five minutes later when HBW pressed for an equaliser, intercepting an attempted clearance to pounce for 1-1.

Undeterred, the hosts pushed to regain the lead saw at least three further chances missed, including one shot which beat the keeper but struck the crossbar.

But on the stroke of half-time, Henry James seized his chance when HBW’s keeper missed his attempted clearance. James skilfully rounded the keeper and shot into the open goal.

This well-deserved lead was soon increased when James was put through one-on-one, knocking it past the keeper before finding the bottom-right corner.

Rasen’s defence played a crucial role in maintaining the lead in a frenetic second half as man-of-the-match Luke Griffiths, Jamie Sleeth, Ellis Annibal and Joshua Nicols remained strong and resilient.

James converted his brace into his second hat-trick in as many weeks, beating the visitors’ defensive line and finding the net from a tight angle.

In Rasen’s midfield, Luke Bennett stayed resolute in pulling back, while Christopher Allen and Alex Aistrop pushed forward to support the forwards.

One such run saw Aistrop’s shot hit the post and James was there to net the rebound.

Rasen quickly increased the score to 6-1 when Aistrop’s perfect long pass found Allen who played a crisp one-two with James before crossing to Espin who made no mistake for his second.

Obi Casson and Louie Herrett’s swift play on the edge of the box set up Casson for a well-deserved goal before HBW managed a consolation with a well-taken shot from the edge of the box which beat keeper Phil Bett.