Goal-den boys of Bulwell

Amazingly, Bulwell found themselves 2-0 down after only eight minutes thanks to errors at the back by Dave Warden and Brett Charles.

But furious manager Geoff Pallett made his feelings known and his side suddenly woke up halfway through the first period.

They still trailed at the interval, despite a 34th minute goal from Simon Betts after good work by strike partner Duane Haywood.

But they ran riot in the second period, plundering six goals, which included a hat-trick from Rocky Hastings.

Hastings it was who equalised in the 48th minute and with Bulwell rampant, the same player put them in front four minutes later after a superb ball by Jay Knight.

Basford were shellshocked but the home side hadn’t finished and on 54, Haywood notched his 14th goal of the season already.

With Knight and Dean Spencer pulling all the strings in midfield, supersub Daren Spencer made it 5-2 from a quick free-kick in the 68th minute.

Basford pulled one back on 73 as Bulwell again got a little complacent. But Pallett’s men finished in style as Hastings completed his treble and Daren Spencer smashed a thunderous effort into the top corner from 30 yards.

The goals capped a second-half performance in which they looked every inch title-contenders – after giving an impression of relegation fodder in the opening half!

n BULWELL LINE-UP – Singleton/ Gretton (man-of-match) Wilkinson Charles Warden Knight Spencer (Dean) Cranny Betts Haywood Hastings R. Subs: Spencer (Daren) (for Cranny 58), Hastings G. (for Wilkinson 53), Ratcliffe (for Charles 51).