Leighton Hope helped himself to a hat-trick as Moors Academy side enjoyed a wonderful win over Hyde United at Consett’s Belle View Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

Andy Inness took charge of the team for the game, and they produced a powerful performance to earn three more points in their improving North Division One campaign.

It was 1-0 to Moors on 11 minutes when Ben Cook delivered a wide free-kick into the area where it was headed home from six yards by Jaydin Fulton.

However, the visitors struck back to level things when a long ball over the top caught out the Moors defence and the Hyde forward raced through to tuck a neat finish under keeper James Brown.

Moors responded well and were back in front on 15 minutes when Callum Dale’s free-kick caused problems in the box for Hyde and Hope got there ahead of the keeper to bundle home.

Dale had a hand in Moors’ third goal nine minutes before half time too. The defender carried the ball forward and played a wonderful reverse pass into Hope who outran the Hyde defence to finish superbly past the keeper.

Hyde refused to give up and they reduced the arrears after the break when Moors lost possession in midfield and were made to pay by the visiting forward who finished well into the corner.

Inness’ youngsters made sure of victory on 75 minutes though. Some tenacious play from Ethan Tate won the ball back for Moors and Hope took full advantage to pick up the loose ball and fire an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

“It was a really good team performance,” Inness told us afterwards.

“There were some good individual displays among the team too, most notably from Leighton Hope with the hat-trick of really clinical finishes.

“It’s pleasing to see that the lads are starting to take some of the things we’ve been working on in training into games and that’s resulted in our improved performances of late.”

Full Time: Moors 4 Hyde United 2

Moors: Brown, Stapleton, Neeley, Dale, Blair, Fulton, Cook, Tate (Yates 80), Robertson (Oliver 75), Hope, Campbell.