Jack Warwick hits hat-trick as Cobras bounce back

Sixth-placed Gedling were nine places and 17 points ahead of the Cobras before kick-off, but a Jack Warwick hat-trick inspired the home side.

Hoole said: “I am very pleased how we have bounced back from the previous week.

“Jack has always been potentially a top goalscorer in this league and the one above.

“He took all three goals very well and maybe could have had a couple more. He was unfortunate that the keeper pulled off a couple of good saves to deny him. He did really well today.”

Three of four new signings featured for Clipstone – Declan Sorrell, a 19-year-old forward on a dual registration with Sheffield FC; Chadd Wootton, a 18-year-old midfielder from Selston; and Matt Leyland, a 22-year-old left back from Maltby Main. The fourth signing, Declan Whitton, a centre back from Matlock Town, was an unused substitute.

Warwick and Sorrell both had early chances and Josh Ing fired just wide after showing great awareness to nip in and dispossess an opponent on the edge of the box.

The Cobras took the lead in the 35th minute through an excellent move when Liam Carrington found Wootton and the new signing delivered a perfect cross to the far post where Warwick headed home from close range.

It was 2-0 in the 57th minute when Sorrell and Wootton combined to play a high ball in the direction of Jack Warwick, who headed the ball forward and held off a defender to lob the advancing keeper.

Warwick fired in his hat-trick two minutes later from a Josh Ing cross.

Nine minutes from time Gedling grabbed a consolation goal as Paulo Pillero forced home from close range.

Hoole added: “We are looking to next season now and have four new lads signed and possibly there may be more.

“We are getting a nucleus for next season who will have been here for a good six months. You can’t stand still in football, you have to look ahead, and we are trying to build the squad.”