Gregory hits hat-trick as AFC Trades win Portsmouth Sunday League nine-goal thriller on Hawks’ new 3G pitch

Panthers keeper Billy Burns saves from Lenny Cole, centre, during the AFC Trades v Sheperd's Crook game on Hawks' 3G surface. Picture: Chris Moorhouse

The Portsmouth Sunday League Division 5 side are to play all their home games on the £500,000 surface at the Draper Tools Community Stadium from now on.

They sneaked a 5-4 victory against Sheperd’s Crook Panthers to extend their 100 per cent start to 2020/21 to six games.

They have won all five league matches and also beat Division 2 side Portsbridge United in the Challenge Cup.

AFC Trades' Adam Puckett, left, in action against Sheperd's Crook. Picture: Chris Moorhouse

Panthers, though, made it far harder for Trades than they were expecting.

Trades led 2-0 before Panthers - still searching for their first points - hit back to level.

Trades moved into a 4-2 lead with a goal either side of the break, before Panthers again hit back.

Trades added a fifth, but the visitors refused to lay down and grabbed a fourth to set up a tense finale.

Harry Gregory hit a hat-trick for AFC Trades in their 5-4 win against Sheperd's Crook. Picture: Chris Moorhouse

Brendan Ebireri and Adam Puckett also netted for the winners.

Trades boss Alfie Norman said: ‘It felt a little bit surreal playing at a National League ground.

‘It’ll take some getting used to.

‘It’s a class surface, so much better than other 3G pitches we have played on - it’s a lot better than Front Lawn.

AFC Trades' Brendan Ebireri, right, evades a tackle from Billy Green. Picture: Chris Moorhouse

‘It’s a big pitch, Farlington where we used to play feels half the size in comparison.

‘But the 3G suits how we want to play football.’

Trades’ move to Hawks’ ground is also helping a local charity.

All gate receipts from their games will be donated to the Portsmouth branch of the Samaritans.