A FIRST-HALF hat-trick from Buckland Athletic’s Ryan Bush meant Laverstock & Ford bowed out of the FA Vase at the third-round stage.

Bush set Buckland on their way to the fourth round of the competition with a 3-0 victory over Liam McConnell’s Bulldogs.

He opened the scoring on 13 minutes with a fierce strike across the Laverstock keeper to put his side 1-0 up.

Bush then bagged his second after springing the Laverstock offside trap with 32 minutes gone. Keeping a cool head, he rounded the keeper and converted for 2-0.

And six minutes later, Buckland and Bush virtually wrapped up the contest with a third goal.

A misplaced pass from the Bulldogs allowed the striker to be played in and fire home his 15th goal of the campaign.

The result meant Laverstock picked up £350 in prize money for their third-round exit, but missed out on the chance to face Ascot United in round four on Saturday, January 14.

Laverstock got back to winning ways on Tuesday night, when they hosted Christchurch in Wessex Premier.

The deadlock was finally broken on 66 minutes through Russell Jones, before substitute James McSorley secured a 2-0 victory, which lifted McConnell’s men up to ninth.

Meanwhile, Bemerton Heath Harlequins played out a goalless draw with Cowes Sports in Wessex Premier at Moon Park.

Their clash with Brockenhurst was postponed on Tuesday due to floodlight maintenance.

In Wessex One, Andover New Street remain unbeaten after winning 4-2 at Fawley.

Joshua Moore bagged a brace with Michael Davis and Shane Lock also on target.

Downton eased to a 3-0 home win over Whitchurch United, thanks to a Shaun Prentice double and Tom Rafferty strike.

Andover Town won 4-1 against Ash United at Portway Stadium, before drawing 2-2 with Downton on Tuesday night.

Regan Mason scored twice as Verwood Town won 3-2 at Totton & Eling, while Ringwood Town lost by the same score at home to Millbrook.