By Elliott Dalton
A hat trick from Andrew Hutchinson helped Lincoln United to a 4-1 win against play-off rivals, Norton United.
Lincoln’s number nine scored all his goals within the first 31 minutes, and his strike partner Scott Ruthven’s effort in second half added time sealed all three points.
Norton played the majority of the game with ten men, after centre back Paul Taylor was sent off after 15 minutes.
Lincoln went into the game needing a win to keep their play-off hopes alive, as they sat five points off Gresley, in fifth place.
The Whites got off to a perfect start, just three minutes in Andrew Hutchinson expertly turned the ball in from Scott Ruthven’s low cross from the right hand side.
The pressure continued after the goal, and after ten minutes, a low, swerving shot from Hutchinson was well saved by Norton ‘keeper Christopher Fletcher.
But it was only two minutes later, in the 12th, that Hutchinson doubled his, and Lincoln’s tally. He beat Fletcher to a long ball and slotted the ball underneath the Norton ‘keeper, with the ball sneaking in at the near post.
Already 2-0 down, Norton’s afternoon became much worse when Paul Taylor was sent off after just 15 minutes. Goal scorer Hutchinson was through on goal when Taylor’s challenge brought him down just outside the Norton area.
Norton will be thankful to their goalkeeper, Christopher Fletcher, who kept them in the game with fine saves denying Sean Wright and Andrew Toyne.
But the game was put beyond all doubt just after the half hour, Hutchinson completing his hat trick after smartly rounding Fletcher and calmly finishing off.
The second half failed to produce the same action as the first, as Lincoln dominated possession and Norton failed to create chances.
As the half wore on, Lincoln again came close through substitute Elliot Broughton, who found himself 1-on-1 with Fletcher, who prevented Broughton from finding the net.
Matthew Cotton fired inches wide from a tight angle, before Norton grabbed a consolation through captain Jonathan Beaumont, who was unmarked at the back post, volleying past Robert Peet.
But a minute into added time, Scott Ruthven claimed a deserved goal to make it 4-1, finding the net from a long free kick.
Lincoln now turn their attention to next week’s vital home clash against Gresley, who still sit five points ahead of the Whites in fifth after their win on Saturday.