Charlie Bailey scores hat-trick as Lancaster City beat Ashton United

Charlie Bailey’s first half hat-trick gave Lancaster City the win in their final away game of the season.

The Dollies beat Ashton United 4-2 on Saturday (April 15), with the other Bailey brother Sam getting the fourth goal for the visitors.

The hosts’ goals came from Nathan Lowe and Jason Gilchrist.

Lancaster made a fast start, and Charlie Bailey was on the scoresheet for the first time inside seven minutes, picking up the ball from just inside the box, moving effortlessly past the Robins’ defence and slotting it home to keeper Thomas Scott’s right.

He could have got his second just four minutes later but Scott made a strong save to deny him from just outside the box. However, Bailey would get another opportunity to score from practically the same place on the pitch, and this time he rifled it in past Scott.

The hosts got a goal back in impressive fashion as Nathan Lowe scored direct from a free kick from a challenging angle.

Rudy Misambo saw his two headers in the space of ten minutes saved by Scott, but the goalie had to be at his best to keep them out.

The Dollies, and Bailey, got their third on the stroke of half time. Sam Bailey’s long throw found David Norris who hit a thunderous strike at goal, which was parried by Scott but, as the ball came back down to the ground, Charlie Bailey was there to pounce from close range.

After the break, Lancaster’s two wing backs combined to get their fourth. Kyle Brownhill delivered a ball from the left hand side which flew over the initial target’s head, but Sam Bailey connected and volleyed it in to add his name to the scoresheet alongside his brother’s.

Ashton United got a consolation goal five minutes later. Jason Gilchrist received the ball from 25 yards out, danced through the Dollies defence and striking low into the bottom right hand corner.

Midfielder Brad Carroll said he was pleased with the team’s performance.

“To a man, everyone was fantastic, we showed the quality the squad have and we deserve that result. It could have been five, six or seven (goals) so it was a quality performance from everyone," said Carroll.

Carroll was eager to praise Charlie Bailey.

“He’s been class, obviously he scored last weekend and we didn’t get the result we deserved, but he was different class today and could have had another two or three as well.”

Lancaster City’s last game of the season is at home to Guiseley, the team just above them in the NPL Premier Division standings, on Saturday (April 22).. The 12th and 11th placed teams are both on 55 points and are separated by a goal difference of two in Guiseley’s favour.

The winner of Lancaster City’s ‘Name the Stadium’ competition will be announced at half time.

There’s still time to enter the competition for £10 per entry. For more information, head to the club’s website,