A HAT-TRICK from Joey Price resulted in Radnor Valley returning to winning ways with a 3-0 victory over Dolgellau Athletic in their Lock Stock Ardal North East clash at The Bypass.
The Goats were looking to respond after going down 4-0 to Llanfair United in their last outing that left the Radnorshire club hovering just above the relegation zone.
The New Radnor men went close early on when Rees Morris' low 20-yard drive was gathered by Dolgellau Athletic custodian Tyler Andrews at the second attempt.
It was Radnor Valley who broke the deadlock after 15 minutes when Price cut in from the left flank and drilled a low shot into the far corner of Andrews' net.
The visitors looked to respond three minutes later when David Edwards fired an 25 yard effort wide of Otto Jones' near post.
The Wasps should have equalised when Jones' punch dropped to Gareth Hughes but he was unable to keep his close-range effort under the crossbar.
The Goats responded within a minute when defender Matt Croose headed wide of the near post from a corner at the opposite end of the pitch.
The visitors had a great opportunity to equalise in first half stoppage time. Paul Lewis headed a cross back across goal, but Ioan Roberts placed his effort wide of goal from only a few yards out.
Radnor Valley skipper Lewis Morris sliced a half volley wide of the target two minutes later from the edge of the penalty area before Ieuan Price headed wide of goal from a 52nd minute corner.
The experienced Lewis headed wide of the target following a free-kick played into the Goats' penalty area.
It was then the turn of Price to latch on to a long ball played forward in the 58th minute but his attempted lob over Andrews drifted wide of the wrong side of the upright.
The Wasps responded three minutes later when Lewis' shot was parried by Jones and Elliot Williams was on hand to head the ball off the line in the ensuing melee.
Lewis Morris surged into the opposition penalty area in the 74th minute but was denied by Andrews before Price drove down the inside left channel just a minute later but his ensuing effort was deflected into the side netting for a corner.
The New Radnor club had to wait until the 79th minute to double their lead when referee Nigel Mathias awarded a penalty for a foul on Matthews and Price duly converted the spot-kick.
Radnor Valley substitute Daniel Powell struck his half-volley wide from the edge of the penalty area five minutes later after a free-kick was only partially cleared by the Dolgellau Athletic defence.
The Goats talisman completed his personal treble in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Price was picked out in space on the left before driving towards goal and beating Andrews at his near post to conclude a successful afternoon for the home team.
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