PAUL Moore hailed the contribution of Rob Hopley, who scored a hat-trick, after Witton progressed to the next stage of the FA Trophy on Saturday.

The front man was also a provider when Tolani Omotola hit the net, while a goal from Tom Owens completed a 5-2 victory against Brighouse.

“That’s what Hopley can do,” said Albion’s first-team coach.

“But what some people don’t realise is how much of a contribution he makes even when he’s not scoring goals.

“His work-rate and commitment is phenomenal, and he sets an example for the other lads to follow.”

And Omotola, a teenager on loan from Tranmere Rovers, is doing exactly that.

The 18-year-old increased his tally to eight goals in 10 starts when he put his side 3-1 up shortly after the interval.

Moore said: “Tol is learning all the time, in every game he plays [alongside Rob].

"He’s only a kid, but he’s getting a reward for taking on board what we’re trying to teach him.”

Witton started swiftly in both halves, taking the lead inside five minutes when Hopley headed in from a corner.

He had scored again to establish a narrow 2-1 lead by the break before three goals in less than quarter of an hour at the start of the second period blew away Brighouse, who arrived in Northwich as leaders in the Northern Premier League’s Division One North.

“We got out of the blocks quickly,” said Moore.

“It was reminiscent of our performances in the early part of the season, I think.

“The gaffer told the lads at half-time to put pressure on their defence high up the pitch, and that’s when we got the three goals that killed off the game.

“I felt we dominated the game, and deserved to go through.

“The lads are feeling confident, and they think they can beat everybody [at the moment] – they don’t care where sides are in the table.”

Match report: Witton 5-2 Brighouse