PENRITH top scorer Michael Reed hit a hat-trick as his side returned to winning ways in Northern League Division II and he is now just one goal away from a post-war scoring record.

The former Carlisle United player has 26 goals from 26 league games, and the record stands at 27, set by Albert Clapperton in 1966-67.

However, Reed looks likely to miss today’s game at Marske United after picking up an injury against Guisborough on Tuesday.

Reed’s third treble of the season, during Saturday’s4-1 home victory over Team Northumbria, in which midfielder Paul Pattinson also scored, took his tally to 28 for the season in total.

“Michael will take all the plaudits but it was a solid team performance,” said Blues manager Dave Heslop. “I decided to change to a more attacking formation with an extra striker and the lads adapted well to what I asked of them.”

On Tuesday against Guisborough Town at the World Group Stadium, Penrith won 1-0 thanks to a wonder strike from Reed in the 82nd minute.

Reed, who came off the bench, hit a superb volley from 18 yards which was in the back of the net before visiting goalkeeper Danny Yates could move. He was set up for the chance by Matty Lea who had flicked on Steven Wright’s lofted pass.

However, Reed, who went off with an ankle injury shortly after his goal, is now a major doubt for Tuesday’s match when Penrith host Guisborough again, this time in the semi-final of the Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup.

After the match Heslop said it had been a hard fought encounter with few clear cut chances, but he said Reed’s volley deserved to win any game.

“We were a little disjointed at times, but I take responsibility for that as I asked some players to play out of their regular positions and changed our formation three times just to keep Town guessing about next week’s line-up for the semi-final,” said Heslop.

“It is a massive game for us. The success of our season will depend on the outcome. Before every round I have hammered the point home that it is not just about winning that game, but retaining the cup we won last year,” he added.

Penrith travel to Marske United today, before their cup semi-final on Tuesday, and Heslop is less than happy with his team’s fixture congestion. He said they had been in the “ridiculous situation” of having played eight games in 29 days and it would have been nine had one not been postponed.

“The league officials never learn,” he said. “They sit in their ivory towers and show no common sense when it comes to planning fixtures. Their major concern is that the league finishes on time.”

PENRITH 1,

GUISBOROUGH TOWN 0

The game got off to a tight start, and on seven minutes there was a scramble in the visitors’ goalmouth as Matty Lea and Dan Broadley saw goalbound efforts blocked to safety.

The visitors hit back and striker Darren Fixter picked up a loose ball and fired his effort into the side netting. After 30 minutes, Broadley went close with a dangerous cross-shot after a break down the right. Five minutes later goalkeeper Douglas Lindsay did well to block a powerful 30 yard Paul Jack free kick.

On 42 minutes Broadley picked up a loose ball near the halfway line and went on a 50 yard run before dragging his shot wide of the target, and on the stoke of half-time, Town’s Derek Bradley put a close range header over the bar.

Three minutes into the second half, a well flighted free kick by Penrith’s Mark Jones found Gary Milne at the far post, but the defender, who was up for the free kick, saw his effort roll inches past the target. Shortly before full-time Guisborough counter attacked and Marc Asif missed the target from a wide angle.

Penrith: Lyndsay, Lynn, Jones, Thornton (Robertson 58), Milne, Wright, Douglas, Pattinson, Paul, Broadley (Reed 70 (Frampton 86), Lea. Subs not used Holland, A. Wright.

PENRITH 4,

TEAM NORTHUMBRIA 1

After a promising start Penrith fell behind on eight minutes as Team Northumbria midfielder John Clarke ran through and lifted the ball over onrushing goalkeeper James Holland and into the net.

Dan Broadley and Michael Reed went close as the home side looked to get back on terms, Reed seeing his header beat goalkeeper Robert Joyce but strike the crossbar.

On 36 minutes former Carlisle United YTS player Paul Anthony miss-hit a free kick from 45 yards which forced Holland to rush back and tip the ball over the bar.

However, two goals in three minutes before the break put Penrith in control. First Paul Pattinson picked up a loose ball and from 25 yards struck a left foot volley past Joyce into the net. Dan Broadley then sent over a well flighted corner which the unchallenged Reed headed home.

With 14 minutes remaining Reed made it 3-1 with a shot into the bottom corner of the net and within 60 seconds he had completed his hat-trick with an effort which evaded the diving Joyce.

After Andy Douglas hit the post, full back David Lynn looked to have scored the hosts’ fifth but his powerful shot struck team-mate Gareth Broadley and rebounded to safety.

Penrith: Holland, Lynn, Jones, Thornton, Robertson, Frampton (S. Wright 84), Paul, Pattinson, Reed, Douglas, D. Broadley (G. Broadley 75). Sub not used: Lindsay.

Penrith’s remaining fixtures (home games in capitals): Today Marske Utd; Tues 3rd April GUISBOROUGH TOWN (Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup semi-final); Saturday 7th SPENNYMOOR TOWN; Tuesday 10th NORTON AND STOCKTON; Saturday 14th Esh Winning; Saturday 21st Hebburn Town.