SELBY Town moved to the top of the Toolstation Northern Counties East League division one table after thrashing Rossington Main 5-1 at the Fairfax Plant Hire Stadium.
Selby struck four second half goals to secure the win, taking them above Winterton Rangers on goal difference, though the Robins have two matches in hand on their top-of-the-table rivals.
Tomorrow afternoon sees the top two go head to head, with Selby hosting the crucial fixture, which could go a long way to deciding which side earns promotion.
It was a memorable night for star man Liam Flanagan who reached his century of goals for Selby, marking the occasion with a hat-trick. On a night of many chances, he could easily have scored more.
After 11 minutes Selby took the lead. A free kick was awarded following a poor tackle on Casey Stewart, allowing the ball to be played in to Carl Stewart on the left edge of the six yard box.
The ball seemed to stick between his feet, but he recovered to power the ball past the diving Rossington ‘keeper.
An onslaught was expected from the Selby, the division's top-scorers, but never quite materialised. The Rossington defence were kept busy but were able to see out the home side's pressure.
Rossington were causing problems for the Town defence, with pacey wingers Niall Doran and Manasse Kandanga proving a real handful.
It was Kandanga who was fouled as Selby made a mess of the clearance, allowing Kandanga to score from point blank range. All square it remained at half-time.
Selby looked full of intent after the restart, scoring ten minutes into the second period.
Carl Stewart running in behind the defence before teeing up Flanagan for goal number 99 for the club.
Flanagan continued to torment the Rossington defence and he reached his century on 68 minutes. The Rossington goalkeeper tipped a shot into the striker's path, rifling the shot in from a narrow angle.
At this point, Selby were very much on top, cutting through the Rossington defence almost at will. Flanagan had the run of the right flank, and pulled the ball back for substitute Danny Walker to score Selby’s fourth goal.
Flanagan then turned scorer again, in behind the backline once more, he slotted the ball past the keeper to complete his treble.
Meanwhile, in the BetVictor Northern Premier League north/west division, Tadcaster Albion are set for a return to action this weekend following two successive postponements, in matches against Runcorn Linnets and Widnes.
Tadcaster, who are sixth in the league table, make the trip to third-placed Marine as they look for a return to the division's play-off places.
Just four points and one place separate themselves from Marske United, who occupy the final play-off spot.
Elsewhere, Pickering Town's bid to avoid relegation from the division continues as they visit Halton Stadium, to the face Widnes.
The Pikes remain at the bottom of the league standings following four consecutive defeats.
Steve Roberts' side are five points adrift of safety, with Kendal Town - the side who they host at Mill Lane on Tuesday night in a vital six-pointer - the closest side above them.
Pickering drew 1-1 in the reverse fixture back in November - one of only seven of 28 league games in which they've taken points.
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