Cherry Records Hellenic League: Prolific striker Paul Day blasted a hat trick as Pewsey Vale romped to victory in their clash with bottom-of-the-table Letcombe at the Recreation Ground.

The former Hungerford Town hitman continued his scoring streak to keep Pewsey in sixth place with games in hand on the top five clubs in the Hellenic League Division One West.

The home side were dealt an early blow when defender Adam Stephens limped off inside the first ten minutes, but went in front shortly afterwards through Tom Ritchie.

Day scored his first of the afternoon on 25 minutes and youngster Ross Anderson made it three before the interval.

Key forward Craig Wall, the scorer of four goals in Pewsey's 8-1 thrashing of Marlborough last week, gave Pewsey a scare when he collected a groin injury and was replaced at half time.

Day added his second 12 minutes after the break before Mark Rees pulled one back for the Division One West's whipping boys moments later.

The striker completed his treble on 72 minutes before Letcombe had a late penalty brilliantly saved by Paul Clark.

Pewsey manager Don Rogers was pleased with the victory and the performance of Day.

He said: "They are bottom so I would have expected to win it, but it was comfortable in the end.

"It is always nice to win 5-1 no matter who it is against.

"To score 13 times in two games is not bad at all at this level.

"Paul Day has got ten now and has only been here five or six weeks. You can't argue with that, but I brought him to the club because I knew he could score goals.

Rogers has his eye firmly on the promotion places and his side made ground thanks to defeats for top two Hook Norton and Purton.

He said: "It wasn't a bad weekend with the results. If we win our games in hand we are only two points worse off than anyone and we still have to play all the teams above us.

"My players play better in games like that, because they know they have to play and are up for it."

Pewsey travelled to Premier Division outfit Bishops Cleeve in the RPM Records Supplementary Cup last night and return to league action with a trip to mid-table Chipping Norton on Saturday.

Said Rogers: "That is another should-win game. All I care about is league points and getting this side into the top two."