AFC Hayes 5-2 Taunton Town

HOT-SHOT Victor Osubu hit a hat-trick to fire AFC Hayes into the promotion picture with victory over Taunton Town on Saturday.

Hayes are now in touching distance of the BGB Southern Division One Southern and West play-off places after a run of 12 wins and three draws since January 14.

The hosts took just 11 minutes to get their noses in front when the lively Dean Clark played in Osubu to crash home the opener.

Osubu then turned provider for Ross Ahir to add a second as Hayes threatened to run riot.

However, a defensive blunder just before the break halved their lead as Taunton hit back.

But they restored their two-goal cushion within three minutes of the second half when Osubu teed-up Dean Papali who sidestepped his marker to score.

And the rampant home side increased their advantage when Osubu sent the keeper the wrong way to put them 4-1 up.

He completed his treble six minutes later when he latched on to Clark's pass to put Hayes out of sight.

Taunton managed a late consolation after another defensive mistake, but Hayes held on for a comfortable victory.

Meanwhile, Craig Bartlett is still in hospital with a head injury sustained in the reserve's game against Beaconsfield on Thursday.