GEORGE Chmiel was Barnoldswick’s hero as he struck a hat-trick to give his side a first league victory in just-shy of three months on Saturday.

Barlick’s electric forward put a seal on a fantastic 4-2 victory for Andy Harrison’s men at Prestwich Hey - after racing clear to claim his third goal of the afternoon with 75 minutes on the clock.

The club’s first league victory since January 2 has helped to ease the pressure on Town and they now sit nine points above the bottom two.

Despite running away with victory, Barlick had to endure a sticky start and they were ruthlessly punished after giving away a soft free kick with only ten minutes on the clock. Max Bardsley-Rowe stepped up for the hosts to despatch a 25-yeard effort past the stationary Turner.

Ten minutes later it was Barnoldswick’s turn to get on the scoresheet, and it was magic man Chmiel who delivered – hitting a thunderous strike beyond the reach of the home side’s goalkeeper.

The game was completely turned on its head on minute 26, with Chmiel getting his second of the game. Zack Foster played a delightful through ball to the visitors’ number 11 and he rolled it beyond the reach of the onrushing goalkeeper.

Harrison’s boys went into the break with a deserved and much-needed 2-1 lead but they were soon pegged back after the interval, Prestwich breaking through four flimsy challenges before bundling the ball into the away side’s net.

However, Foster switched roles and became scorer rather than provider to put the visitors ahead once again.

The game was sealed on minute 75 when Andy Hill slipped Chmiel in on goal and he made no mistake in sealing his hat-trick and Barnoldswick’s crucial 4-2 victory.

Tonight, Barlick welcome Congleton Town to the Silentnight Stadium while Padiham are the visitors on Monday evening.