BLACKBURN Sparrowhawks moved a significant step nearer winning the championship and a promotion play-off place after a thrilling 6-3 win against Solihull at the Arena.

A hat-trick from Alex Rouson led the charge for the Sparrowhawks who now need to win their last three remaining Northern B League fixtures to beat Grimsby to the title.

With the current league leaders having fulfilled their programme, Blackburn knew they had to keep on winning to over take them at the top.

And after a tight opening 14 minutes it was the talented hitman who opened the scoring six minutes from the break with a well taken strike.

However having worked so hard to find the opening goal, Blackburn's lead was short lived as Mike Schnurr equalised for the visitors less than a minute later.

But two goals in a minute from Rouson and captain David Meikle gave Blackburn a two goal cushion they needed going into the second half.

That was underlined six minutes after the break when Solihull pulled a goal back through Shaun Preece.

But the Sparrowhawks are made of stronger stuff these days and didn't panic as the visitors searched for the equaliser.

The home side weathered the storm and then extended their lead thanks to a strike from Mark Gillingham. Blackburn then turned the screw and even managed to get a fifth goal when Rouson completed his hat-trick, even though his side were 'short handed' with a player in the sin bin.

By now the Sparrowhawks were well in control and they grabbed their sixth goal five minutes from time through Sam Dunford.

Credit must go to Solihull though who never let their heads drop and Toni Scialdone scored their third goal of the night in an entertaining game.

The Sparrowhawks now have to face Deeside home and away and play-off rivals Whitley Bay. Three wins will see them crowned champions while two will be enough to book a play-off place. It goes to show how far the side has come since being formed three seasons ago as they are now on the verge on promotion to the Northern A League.

The two top teams from the B league will met the two bottom teams from the A league as soon as the season finishes to see who will be promoted and relegated.

Promotion would be the icing on the cake for Blackburn who have had a very successful season already.

Captain David Meikle has been selected for the North of Enland under 13squad while net minder Paul Maudsley, Chad Briggs, Oliver Lomax, Harry Hall, Mark Gillingham and Nick Screeton are all in the North of England under 11s squad.

Blackburn Sparrowhawks: Paul Maudsley, Alex Rouson, Chad Briggs, Ryan O'Riley, Oliver Lomax, Paul Mercer, David Meikle, Sam Dunford, Harry Hall, Mike Stokel, Alex Roughley, Daniel Etherington, Tom Shorrock, Mark Gillingham, Connor Morrison, Nick Screeton, Steve Bryce and Rob Adams.

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