Barnoldswick Town 5 Harrogate Railway Athletic 0

STRIKER Joe Gaughan netted a hat-trick as Barnoldswick Town cruised into the quarter-finals of the West Riding FA County Cup.

Gaughan gave his side an early lead when he cracked a glorious 25-yard shot into the roof of Tom Goodwin's net from a John Beckwith cross.

Former Bradford City youngster Jack Stockdill squandered a good chance for Railway as the visitors looked to force their way back into the game.

Shaun Airey twice had to be alert to thwart Railway's Tom Owen. First he blocked a shot bravely on the edge of the penalty area then he cleared a dangerous Owen cross when Charlie Clamp was poised for a tap in.

Goalkeeper Jordan Gidley could only look on anxiously as Stockdill flashed a 30-yard free kick just wide of his goal and Owen had a goal ruled out for offside.

At the other end, Gaughan forced Goodwin into a good save from a free kick before dragging a shot wide when Harry Thompson set up a shooting chance for him.

Gaughan tested Goodwin at the start of the second half and Beckwith fired straight at the keeper when well placed.

Town took control of the game around the hour mark with two goals in three minutes. Beckwith deceived the defence by stepping over a Gaughan cross to allow Thompson to move in and net.

Town extended their lead when Gaughan cracked another left-foot shot past Goodwin in the 63rd minute

It was all Town for the remainder of the match, as a minute later new signing Matthew Simpson, a recent signing from Skipton LMS, marked his full debut with a goal.

Picking the ball up just inside the visitors half he outstripped the defence before rounding Goodwin and tucking the ball into the empty net.

Gaughan completed his hat-trick with four minutes left. Substitute Michael Hodson played the ball into Gaughan's path on the edge of the penalty area and his right-foot shot flew inside past Goodwin.

Town are at home again on Saturday to Abbey Hey in the North West Counties League Premier Division.