LOWER LEAGUE STAR: Hannah hat-trick the highlight for Chester
Ross Hannah was the difference as Chester scored a convincing win over Torquay United in the National League on the weekend.
Not only did Hannah score a hat-trick, with the opening goal comings inside just 15 seconds, the hitman also wrote himself into the history books of the Blues.
29-year-old Hannah was the undoubted star of the show in Chester's emphatic triumph over Torquay to become the first Blues player to score three goals in a match in almost two years.
His early goal became the fastest ever strike by a Chester player, and the quickest in the league this season.
As stated above, his first came just with the match barely starting, after being assisted by Danny Hattersley. Hannah rifled in a free-kick to score his second - and Chester's 3rd - before completing his hat-trick with 20 minutes remaining, to seal a resounding victory at the Lookers Vauxhall Stadium.
Hannah has become one of the most potent strikers in the National League this season, with his 12 league goals becoming increasingly important for a Chester side which have been struggling for most part of the season, but are now sitting 14th on the table of England's fifth tier.
After finding opportunities limited at Grimsby Town last season, Hannah has found his feet at a club where he is guaranteed to start every game. His goals may soon be attracting interest from clubs in the Football League, but for now he will continue to strive to making more history with Steve Burr's side.
Of the performance, Burr told ChesterFC.com: “I said to Ross that we wanted 15 goals from him before Christmas, so straight away he said to me when he came off that he's reached 15 – so I said I want 20 off him!
“He's in a rich vein of form and he took all of his goals really well."
GOAL | What a moment! Hannah finishes off Hunts square ball - and then celebrates with the youngsters in the South Stand! Superb! 4-1.
— Chester FC (@ChesterFC) December 19, 2015FULL TIME | Chester FC 4-1 Torquay United. A Ross Hannah hat trick and a Ryan Higgins pearler seal the three points here today! #COYB
— Chester FC (@ChesterFC) December 19, 2015Congrats to @RHannah10 scoring 3 goals today #ChesterFC. also claiming the quickest goal in the @TheNationalLge pic.twitter.com/BO7zrJcQWo
— AJPlayz (@AJPlayzYT) December 19, 2015Well done to @RHannah10 today on his 3 goals!! Deserves everything!! Goalscoring machine xx
— Scott Lowe (@slowedown33) December 19, 2015
By Joe Baker