Young hits hat-trick as Bels beat champs

Belgrave Wanderers 3, Northerners 1

CRAIG YOUNG was yet again the Bels hero as they cleared one of their toughest remaining obstacles in their ruthless pursuit of this year's Priaulx League title.

So often the key player on such occasions, Young netted a hat-trick to turn around a contest that a valiant North side had led through Simon Tostevin's perseverance in the first-half.

The timing of the equaliser was crucial for the league leaders, coming just moments before half-time, and when Young added two excellent strikes after the break, they had secured another three points.

Although the threat from Vale Rec is still ongoing, one more slip-up from the yellows at the Corbet Field before the top two meet on 9 April will be catastrophic because right now, Bels do not look like dropping any points prior to that meeting.