JAMIE Harding bagged a first-half hat-trick as Welland booked their place in the Cheltenham Association League’s Junior Charity Cup semi-finals.

They secured a 6-1 victory over Shurdington Rovers Reserves after taking the lead inside two minutes.

Omar Elmougy headed home Dave Knapper’s corner and the lead was doubled two minutes later when Stacey Brimmell played in Harding for his first.

With Welland well on top and camped in the Shurdington half, more goals looked on the cards but Elmougy and Brimmell failed to hit the target on several occasions.

Harding netted on the half-hour mark from Knapper’s pass before completing a hat-trick when his powerful drive was fumbled into the net by the visiting keeper.

The second-half began as the first finished with Welland in complete control but they could not keep a clean sheet.

They claimed for a handball as the Rovers striker raced on to beat keeper Chris Newman for a consolation strike.

However, Welland soon added a fifth when fine build-up play between Elmougy and Knapper ended in the latter unselfishly squaring for Paul Edwards to score.

The scoring was completed with five minutes left, when the keeper spilled Tom Soley’s shot for Edwards to prod home the rebound from close range.

Second-placed Welland visit lowly Charlton Rovers Reserves in Division Three tomorrow (2pm).

Meanwhile, Hanley Swan return to action at fellow strugglers Newton in Division One tomorrow (2pm).