By Connor Green
KAI Harris’ hat trick helped University of South Wales 5ths beat University of Gloucestershire 3rds in a nine-goal thriller.
Harris was a thorn in the side of the Gloucester defence all game and was in deadly form in front of goal as his side hit the net six times against their opponents from across the border.
It was USW that got off to the brighter start with Ben Russell heading just wide at the back post from a free kick after four minutes.
The deadlock was then broken by the hosts after a spectacular long pass from Toby Fox found its way to Harris whose chipped finish beat Ollie Holeman in the Gloucester goal.
Gloucestershire had their first attack of the game after a shot from Rich Ford outside the box was comfortably dealt with by USW goalkeeper Yuki Shirozu.
Harris continued to be a threat for USW and had a shot tipped away from Holeman to keep the score at 1-0.
Then just before half time, Harris grabbed his second goal after regaining possession and slotting into the net to double USW’s lead.
Russell netted a third for USW which was met with complaints from Gloucestershire after the linesman had raised his flag only to be overruled by the referee.
Harris got his well-deserved hat-trick after a mistake from Joe McRogan allowed him to pass the ball into the net and put the game seemingly beyond doubt.
But the visitors then threw themselves a genuine lifeline with a quick burst of goals.
Lord scored a free-kick which gave them some hope and that hope was enhanced when Matt Whittle headed a second for Gloucestershire straight rom the restart.
The momentum was with the visitors when Ellis Rattue scored a screamer which flew into the top right corner to make the prospect of a famous comeback with 20 minutes left very real.
But the game was then decided when USW’s Wale Ayandiran headed into the net after Holeman spilled the ball from a cross.
Ayandiran then got another to make it 6-3, after rounding the keeper and capping off a great performance with two goals.