ALEX Reid scored a second-half hat-trick as Solihull Moors continued their fine start to the season with a 5-1 thrashing of Altrincham.
Reid’s treble came after goals from Josh Kelly and Callum Maycock had twice given Solihull the lead after Aaron Bennett had briefly drawn the visitors level at the ARMCO Arena.
The result means Moors sit fourth in the National League table as they responded to their first defeat of the campaign in style.
Altrincham almost took an early lead when Marcus Dinanga was unable to hit the target when well-placed following a rapid counter attack.
And Moors quickly asserted their dominance to take the lead on 20 minutes as Kelly planted the ball in the top left corner of the goal after Jamey Osborne was brought down on the edge of the box.
Solihull hit the post soon after as a stunning move saw Callum Whelan’s long pass find James Clarke on the right who cut the ball back to Ryan Barnett who delivered a first time cross for Reid only for the shot to come back off the woodwork.
However, Altrincham hit back with a stunning goal on 35 minutes as Bennett curled a fine shot into the top corner to leave Louie Moulden with no chance.
And the away side almost struck again moments later when former Solihull loanee Josh Lundstram curled a similar effort effort towards the top corner only for Moulden to make a world class fingertip save.
Neal Ardley’s side restored their lead on 42 minutes when Maycock’s deflected shot looped over Dermot Mee and in to send Moors into the break with a narrow lead.
And Solihull were quick out of the blocks in the second period as Reid smashed home their third goal of the afternoon on 48 minutes after great work from Barnett.
Moors put the game to bed on 73 minutes when Reid received the ball with his back to goal before he turned and slotted an effort past Mee to grab his second of the game.
And Reid completed his hat-trick in the third minute of injury time with a sublime backheel which echoed Alessia Russo’s iconic strike for England at this summer’s Women’s EURO 2022 Championships.
Moors are next in action away at Maidstone United on Saturday, September 10 with kick-off at 3pm at Gallagher Stadium.
