CHRIS Flood brought his goal drought to an end in spectacular style, hitting an excellent hat-trick as Basingstoke Town shocked Vanarama Conference South leaders Boreham Wood.

The striker went into Saturday’s game having scored just once in eight games, but he repaid the faith shown in him by manager Jason Bristow with interest, finding the net three times to take his tally for the season to 17 in 34 games.

Thirteen of those goals have come in the league, putting him fourth in the division’s top scorer charts, while the striker became the first Town player to claim a hat-trick this season.

More importantly, beating the leaders on their own ground lifted Basingstoke up to third in the table, four points behind Bromley and six adrift of Boreham Wood, having played two games fewer than the table-toppers.

Saturday’s result is sure to have sent shockwaves around the league, offering proof that Town remain genuine title contenders. They have now completed their fixtures against the top two, taking nine points from a possible 12 and beating the current leaders twice.

Having played with three central defenders for the previous month, Bristow opted to change things on Saturday. Defender Robbie Rice dropped to the bench and was replaced by Manny Williams, a forward who operated at the point of a midfield diamond.

It was a brave attacking move to make for a daunting trip to the league leaders, especially as Town had failed to win any of their previous three games, but it paid off handsomely.

The hosts, who went into the game off the back of a three-week break, made a strong start, putting the Basingstoke defence under pressure.

Winger Matthew Whichelow was played in by Lee Angol early on. He had a clear sight of goal, but his shot was a poor one, lacking both the power and direction to beat Stuart Moore in the Town goal.

Further half-chances followed for Boreham Wood, with Ben Martin heading over and Junior Morais firing straight at Moore, who then produced a decent save to keep out Daryl McMahon’s effort from distance.

Shaun McAuley had the visitors’ first opportunity of note following good play from Flood down the left flank, but he fired off-target with Boreham Wood goalkeeper James Russell out of position.

Town were getting into the game more, but it was still slightly against the run of play that they took the lead on 21 minutes. Williams picked out the run of Liam Enver-Marum down the right channel and he beat the offside trap before squaring for an unmarked Flood to score.

Whichelow continued to cause problems as the hosts looked to respond, but a good block by Ray denied him once, while another effort whistled narrowly wide.

However, two goals in the space of four minutes put Town in complete control going into half-time.

An excellent pass from McAuley put Enver-Marum in behind the Boreham Wood defence and while his initial finish was a poor one, saved by Russell, the striker was able to prod home the loose ball to double the lead.

Then, a foul on Williams almost straight from the kick-off gave Town a free-kick in a central position 25 yards out. Flood took charge, firing the ball over the wall and into the bottom corner of the net.

The hosts looked shell-shocked, but they had a couple of chances before the break. Moore was fortunate not to concede when he spilled a cross, Ricky Shakes’ poke at goal hitting the ’keeper and rolling wide, while Morais had a strong claim for a penalty turned away, with the striker booked for diving.

Town will have expected a bit of pressure early in the second half, but they defended well to prevent the hosts finding a route back into the game.

Whichelow fired narrowly wide and Ray made a good challenge to deny Morias, but in general, the hosts struggled to find a way through, and Town looked dangerous on the break.

McAuley set them away on one counter attack, but Flood, for the one time in the game, chose the wrong option, slipping as he tried to turn rather than playing in a team-mate.

Williams also went close, home left-back Jordan Brown doing well to deflect a low ball across the six-yard ball away from him and past the post.

Whichelow had a clear chance to pull a goal back for his side on 62 minutes, but he fired over after finding himself in space on the edge of the area, and seconds later, Town made it 4-0.

Flood picked the ball up on the left, beat a defender and skipped around goalkeeper Russell before calmly slotting home to complete his hat-trick.

Having secured his treble, Flood was withdrawn from the action and replaced by Lloyd Macklin, who almost made an instant impact. His pace took him clear down the left, with Brown doing well to hack his low centre away from inside his own six-yard box.

Enver-Marum stung the palms of Russell and McAuley was denied a goal by Martin’s block as Town continued to press, but the introduction of Graeme Montgomery saw the hosts finish with something of a flourish.

They were limited to shots from range, but Montgomery twice forced Moore into saves, with Morais also getting an effort on target.

Town held on to claim a clean sheet, completing a fantastic day all-round for the visitors, who outfought and out-thought Boreham Wood throughout the game.

Click here to watch a post-match interview with Basingstoke Town manager Jason Bristow

PLAYER RATINGS

Stuart Moore – 7 (out of 10)

Made a couple of decent stops to keep out efforts from distance, but almost cost his side a goal when his mishandled a cross.

Nathan Smart – 7

Unable to get forward as much as he would have liked but did a good job of keeping Ricky Shakes quiet.

Tom Bird – 7

Clearly identified as a danger man by Boreham Wood, who stopped him getting into dangerous positions.

James Harper – 8

A really solid performance protecting the back four. Starting to look like the player everyone hoped he would be when he signed for the club.

Rob Dickie – 8

A faultless display from the Reading youngster, who has extended his loan spell at the club.

David Ray – 8

Made some brave blocks and tackles to earn his side a clean sheet.

Louie Soares – 7

Unable to influence the game as he might have hoped but showed great discipline and desire to close down the hosts’ midfield players.

Shaun McAuley – 9

Lively and dangerous throughout. Worked hard without the ball and made a difference with it. Outstanding pass to set up the second goal.

Liam Enver-Marum – 9

Held the ball up brilliantly and occupied the centre-backs, giving Flood space to make a difference. Set up the first goal and did well to score the second, having made a mess of the initial opportunity.

Chris Flood – 10 (Gazette Star Man)

Back to his very best in front of goal. Took all three of his goals really well and worked exceptionally hard for the team, often tracking back to his own penalty area. A fantastic display.

Manny Williams – 9

Restored to a position just off the front two, he provided the guile Town have been missing of late. Took up great positions and created two of the goals.

SUBSTITUTES

Lloyd Macklin (for Flood 67min) – 7

His pace was a worry for the home defence as Basingstoke looked to catch them on the break.

Andrew Jenkinson (for Williams 84min) – 6

No real chance to make a difference.

Pat Cox (for Enver-Marum 90min) – 6

Brought on very late in proceedings.

Subs (not used): Rice, Case

Boreham Wood: Russell, Garrard, Brown, Cox, Martin, Reynolds, Whichelow (sub Montgomery 76min), Shakes, Angol, Morais, McMahon

Subs (not used): Hill, Thomas, Toomey, Miller-Rodney

Attendance: 380