Stockport County loanee Richie Bennett, Hartlepool United players and fans react to hat-trick in emphatic 7-2 win at Wealdstone to stay top of the National League

It was Pools’ biggest ever win in the National League and would have been the club’s biggest ever away win outright had they not conceded two late goals at Grosvenor Vale.

Recent loan arrival Richie Bennett took home the match ball with a hat-trick while Rhys Oates netted a brace, Nicky Featherstone scored a penalty and Mark Shelton got in on the action as well.

The historic win kept Pools top of the National League and extended their unbeaten run to 15 matches.

Here’s how players and fans reacted on Twitter…

Bennett posted after the game: “Buzzing. Got a hat trick. Great shift from the lads but more importantly the [three] points.”

Pools teammate Gavan Holohan replied with a reference to the uncertainty over the future of his loan from Stockport County: “Hello Richie *join us*.”

Goalscorer Shelton tweeted: “Boys on [fire] love this team!”

Club president Jeff Stelling also implored the striker to remain in the north east as he said: “Richie stay where you are loved – never look back!!!”

Pools fan @Danthom03 expressed his concern: “Why do I have a horrible image in my head of him scoring against us for Stockport in the play off final?

He added: "A 7(SEVEN) goal masterclass is all well and good, but I miss the days where we would play a team near the bottom of the league and get beaten 1-0 after suffering through 20 minutes of time-wasting. The good old days.”

@KDixon1984 reacted to the win by praising the Pools boss: “Sir Dave Challinor OBE. Made a town fall back in love with its team.”

@AndyMcCormack14: “Finally a performance and result where we scored the goals we deserved! Can't believe we let two in at the end though. DC will be livid!”

@RonnieC45027878: “The result we have promised to deliver for some time, finally arrived. Brilliant, and impeccable timing. Some things I suppose are just worth waiting for. To hell with the play offs.”

@stublackett: “We just keep getting better and better.”

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