JOE Kay was the man on fire as Windermere won a thrilling nine-goal encounter with Brooklands MU thirds in Manchester.

Kay netted a hat-trick to move Mere just two points off third-placed Crewe Vagrants in Northern League Division Two West.

Bouncing back from what they saw as a disappointing draw with lowly Lytham the week before, Windermere extended their unbeaten run to six matches with an exciting 5-4 win at second-placed Brooklands.

Mere out-ran and outplayed their hosts, proving they can see games out once they get in front.

Will Dolman and James Pickard were their other scorers, with Ed Brownell named as man-of-the-match.

Saturday sees them host Oxton seconds, from Wirral, at Lakes School (1pm pushback).

A weakened Windermere seconds lost 7-1 at home to a strong Preston fourths side in North West Division Five North.

Preston dominated the game and Mere’s only consolation was a late penalty corner strike by Rob Griffiths as they remain second-bottom, above South Lakes seconds.

Windermere Ladies seconds consolidated their Netherwood Development League lead with a hard-fought 4-3 victory at Carlisle.

Two goals apiece from Lucy Hill and Jamila Elhurti – both with first-half field goals and penalty-corner strikes in the second – tipped the balance for Mere.