Star Match: Bristol Premier Combination: Lawrence Rovers 3 Brimsham Green 1: Lawrence Rovers boosted their promotion hopes with a comfortable win over Brimsham Green in Division I of the Bristol Premier Combination.

Luke Mathison scored the opening two goals of the game and went on to complete a fine hat-trick after Ross Davey had pulled one back for the visitors.

Lawrence Rovers manager, Bernie Harrington, said: "We started well and I think we were the superior side. We were winning the ball in the middle and controlled the game, although I think we took our foot off the pedal and let them back into it."

Rovers took an early lead from a corner. The ball was whipped into the box and flicked on by Daniel Harris for Mathison to head back into the far corner of the net.

Mathison wasted little time in doubling the lead – and again the goal came from a corner. The ball dropped to Mathison, who kept his head and finished well, firing the ball into the top corner.

Conceding the second goal seemed to wake up Brimsham and they managed to pull one back. Davey collected a great through ball, turned well in the box, beating his marker, and, almost in one move, drove his shot to the left of Rovers' keeper Ryan Fogharty.

But Brimsham's hopes suffered a major blow as Rovers stamped their authority on the game with a third goal just minutes later.

A good move set up Mathison just inside the area and he switched the ball on to his left foot and powered it into the top left corner. It was a superb finish to complete his hat-trick.

Rovers went in search of more goals and Harris missed an easy chance following good work by Mathison. The hat-trick hero received the ball after a poor goal kick by James Patt and moved to the left before whipping in a dangerous cross. Harris slid in to meet the centre but made poor contact and the ball fell comfortably to a relieved Patt.

The visitors had a good opportunity to cut the deficit again before the break when a mistake by Rovers defender Scott Lambourne let in Dave Edwards.

The Rovers player looked up and slid a good through ball to Ross Davey, who showed good pace to get round his man before hitting the ball inches wide of the far post.

In the second half, Mathison had a chance to score a fourth after great work by Kelvin Napierski, who produced a wonderful turn to go round his man before racing down the left wing and crossing into the box.

Mathison controlled the ball well but that gave Patt just enough time to rush out and smother the striker's effort.

Brimsham had a goal disallowed from a corner when Fogharty dropped the ball, leaving Mike French with an easy tap-in. But the referee ruled that the Rovers keeper had been fouled.

Overall, Rovers deserved their win. They played the better football, enjoyed more possession and created the majority of chances.

They came out of the blocks much quicker than Brimham, who never properly recovered from conceding those two early goals. Even after cutting the deficit they conceded again shortly afterwards and were overpowered by the their opponents, who dominated midfield and won most of the 50-50 balls.

After going in at half time 3-1 up, Rovers were happy to see the game out in the second half, keeping possession well all over the field.

Lawrence Rovers: Ryan Fogharty, Kelvin Long, Derren Hann, Scott Lambourne, Darren Collett, Dra Faa, Jason Bennett, Luke Mathison, Denny Chapman, Kelvin Napierski, Daniel Harris. Subs: Danny Moane, Steve Buckler, Lee Thong.

Brimsham Green: James Patt, Luke Davey, Mike French, Terry Hooper, Adam Davey, Dan Pepworthy, Gary Checkeths, Lee Edwards, Ross Davey, Rachid Bailiss, Nick Millman. Subs: Dave Edwards, Shaun Werreth, James Chenoweth, Matt Barrow.

Sean Morgan is joint manager with his brother Robert of Imperial Saints, and not manager as stated in last week's Star Match report.

Star Man: Luke Mathison (Lawrence Rovers): Scored an opportunist hat-trick and gave the Brimsham Green defence a torrid time all afternoon with his power and pace.