Hughes sparkles in County win

08 August 2009 17:26
Lee Hughes was the hero as Sven-Goran Eriksson`s first game as Notts County`s Director of football ended in a resounding 5-0 win over Bradford. The former West Brom star marked his debut with a hat-trick to inspire new-look County to their first opening-day victory for nine years. Hughes, one of eight summer signings in the starting line-up, had no part to play in the opening goal after 17 minutes as Ben Davies climbed to head in a cross from Luke Rodgers. But the fearsome striker buried Bradford before half-time with a burst of two goals in the space of four minutes. When Zesh Rehman totally misjudged a long clearance from the back to allow Hughes to go clear, he coolly rounded the goalkeeper to score. And when a fine run and cross by Craig Westcarr opened the City defence again, Hughes forced the ball in from close range. His hat-trick was completed after 54 minutes from the penalty spot after the livewire Rodgers had been brought down by Matt Clarke and young full-back Brendan Moloney rounded off a totally one-sided contest five minutes from time when he ran through from the back to finish with great composure.

Source: Eurosport