Mabunu's hat-trick fires Hexham to Wallsend win

They remained in seventh position, but just one point behind sixth placed Hebburn Town U23, with two games in hand. 

Hexham were made to work hard for their victory by bottom three club Wallsend, who fought their way back from 2-0 down to equalise, before the visitors ran riot in the second half. 

The in-form Will Forsyth opened the scoring with a contender for goal of the season. 

He received a short pass from a free kick just inside the Hexham half, before carrying the ball forward 15 yards, and launching a rocket into the top right hand corner from distance. 

Forsyth turned creator when he threaded a ball through for Dylan Mabunu to finish. 

But the game changed shortly before half time when Wallsend pulled a goal back. 

And on the hour mark, the hosts capitalised on some sloppy Hexham play to level proceedings at 2-2.
“They deserved to be level at that stage,” admitted Hexham manager Martin Lowes. 

“They were quite niggly at times which frustrated us, but to their credit they battled their way into the game.”

The equaliser was the wake-up call that Hexham needed. 

Peter McRoberts supplied the ammunition for Mabunu to score his second and Hexham’s third goal. 

Will Forsyth netted his brace shortly afterwards, firing a free-kick to the goalkeeper’s left from just outside the box. 

A Callum Duncan free-kick  - struck to the other side of the goalkeeper - made it 5-0, before Mabunu completed his hat-trick in fine style. 

He took advantage of a short Wallsend back pass to slot the ball home. 

“We stepped it up a gear in the second half,” said Lowes. “They made it difficult for Dylan, but he stuck to his task and scored an excellent hat-trick. 

“Will Forsyth is in great form at the moment, but all of our lads are playing with confidence and they deserve credit for the way we won the game after losing the two-goal lead.”

Hexham’s next challenge will be away to third-paced Cullercoats in the league on Saturday.