North Leigh 5 (Taylor 24, 31, 35, 58, 75)

Almondsbury Tn 4 (Pitcher 27, Griffiths 34, 83, Packham 57)

Matty Taylor had a day to remember with a fantastic five-timer as North Leigh returned to action after a six-week lay-off with a bang in Division 1 South & West.

The former Oxford United striker hit a hat-trick in 11 breathtaking first-half minutes, which also saw Almonsbury score twice.

And he added two more after the break as North Leigh held off the spirited visitors to claim a thrilling victory.

Taylor opened his account after 24 minutes when he outpaced his marker after running on to Kieran Sanders’s pinpoint pass and shot low across Town keeper Lee Matthews into the far corner.

But Almondsbury were level three minutes later when Ross Stean’s free-kick was drilled home at the far post by Jack Pitcher, who then limped off injured.

A dazzling run and pass from Sanders found Taylor just inside the area, and he curled an exquisite rising shot into the top corner to restore the home lead on 31 minutes.

Matthews then denied Taylor with a point blank save, before a defensive lapse allowed Dean Griffiths to smash home a second equaliser on 34 minutes.

But within a minute, Taylor completed his hat-trick by slotting under Matthews after a jinking run and deft pass from Andy McCabe.

After the break, Matthews palmed away a Joe Burnell header, while at the other end Adam Lonsdale tipped over what seemed a certain goal from Griffiths’ rising strike.

But Almondsbury were level again from the resulting corner on 57 minutes as Dale Packham’s glancing header found the roof of the net.

Incredibly, North Leigh were back in front a minute later as McCabe put through Taylor, who again out-ran his marker to drill a low ushot under the advancing Matthews.

The Almonsdbury keeper then produced a superb triple save to deny Taylor twice and then McCabe from the second follow-up strike.

Matthews continued to make outstanding saves, twice denying long-range efforts from Aaron Posey and then McCabe saw his effort deflected over.

But with 15 minutes left, Taylor again raced clear, rounded the keeper and calmy slotted home his fifth goal.

Stuart Nelson then hooked McCabe’s shot off the line after Matthews had yet again saved from Taylor.

With seven minutes left, a dipping 20-yard strike from Griffiths made it 5-4.

North Leigh: Lonsdale, Redknap, Caton, Posey, Hole, Wood, Reardon (Saunders 82), Burnell, Taylor, McCabe, Sanders. Subs not used: Hodkgins, Futcher, Bowles, Merriman.

Attendance: 74.