City keep up the pace with six of the best including stunning Watts hattrick

Elis Watts scored a stunning hattrick as Gloucester City absolutely blew Hungerford Town away, running out 6-1 winners after a scintillating second half display on Saturday afternoon.

After Watts had broken the deadlock, Joe Hanks flicked home a second to see City lead 2-0 at the break – before Watts curled home his second to make it 3-0 soon after the restart.

Rhys Tyler pulled one back for the visitors just after the hour mark, but the goal reignited City back into life with substitute Kane Simpson getting in on the act instantly after entering proceedings.

Watts completed his breath-taking treble with another stunning left-footed strike, before Marcus Day got a deserved goal following a fantastic performance from the former Bristol City youth man.

The result sees City keep up with Southern League Premier Division South leaders Walton & Hersham, who also claimed a big win on Saturday afternoon.

The gap remains 8 points going into the Christmas and New Year games, but City know that all they need to do is worry about themselves and keep winning for as long as possible.

Despite only having one game left of 2025, the top two are yet to meet and are set for their first showdown at the end of January, when City head to Walton & Hersham on Tuesday 27 January.

Before then, City have a trip to Taunton Town on 27 December to round of 2025, before a home game against Evesham United on 3 January.

Following City’s trip to Marine in the FA Trophy, they then head to Havant & Waterlooville and host Tiverton Town – so Daf Williams’ side will need to make sure they keep up between now and the trip to Walton.

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Saturday’s game saw a goalless opening 40 minutes, with Hungerford going closest through former City striker Harry Williams – who rifled against the crossbar in the 5th minute.

But as soon as Elis Watts curled home his first, from a well worked short corner, the hosts didn’t look back.

The opening 20 minutes or so were poor from Williams’ side, with the hosts too slow in moving the ball, but as they improved they looked the most likely to win the game.

Right on half time, Dylan Jones did fantastically well to burst through two defenders in the right corner, before his pull back was scuffed towards goal – only for Hanks to flick the ball past Luke Cairney to double his side’s lead at the break.

Cairney was left furious four minutes after the restart as the defenders in front of him were too slow to get out to Watts, who curled beautifully back across himself from nearly 25 yards and beating Cairney for pace.

As City began to slowly take their foot off the gas, Hungerford reduced arrears through Rhys Tyler, but Daf Williams simply brought on top scorer Kane Simpson and the forward scored with his first meaningful touch.

After Cairney had swept away as Simpson closed him down, Hungerford failed to clear their lines – with Watts’ block falling for the centre forward to drill into the bottom corner.

Watts completed his hattrick with just over 10 minutes to go, letting flying from the right side of the box – leaving Cairney rooted to the spot.

And Cairney could do nothing about the sixth goal in the 84th minute as Sopuru Obieri was picked out in the box by Harry Pinchard, only for the Cheltenham Town loanee’s shot to be blocked into the path of Marcus Day to slide home to complete the scoring.

The Gloucester City fans enjoyed the full time whistle and will now enjoy their Christmas before heading to Taunton next weekend.

Gloucester City: J Thompson, Jones, Roberts, O’Regan, Spence, Watts, Hanks, Day, Pinchard, Emmett, Baidoo

Subs: C Thompson, Morgan, Wildig, Obieri, Simpson

Hungerford Town: Cairney, Medford-Smith, Rose, Kotwica, Hooper, Williams, Duffus, McGrory, Burton, Shepherd, Tyler

Subs: De-Long, Smith, McDonagh, Conteh, Bowdery

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Elis Watts (Gloucester City)