PILKINGTON cruised into the quarter-final of the President’s Cup as Matty Taylor went past 40 goals for the season.

But it could have all been so different as Unicorn started the brightest and were 2-0 up after 15 mins.

It took another great solo effort from Taylor to wake Pilks up. In the 22nd min, he collected the ball out wide on the half-way line and waltzed through to score.

5 mins before the half and a superb move was finished by Brad Smailes after a neat cut back from Luke Sephton.

On 44mins, Chris Tingay’s long pass was brought down by Taylor who wriggled through to score his 40th goal of the season - a fantastic achievement!

Pilks came straight out after the half and doubled their lead when Graham Boylan’s cross field ball was cushioned down by Smailes to the advancing Jake Worrall who finished to make it 4-2.

Taylor completed yet another hat-trick with 10 mins to go when he broke free and stood the keeper up well before tapping home.

Despite their dominance, Pilks were still under a little pressure and Unicorn pulled one back through a penalty with eight mins left. It also took a great save from keeper Rob Cork a minute later to ensure that the gap wasn’t closed further.

With six mins remaining the goal of the game came from Luke Sephton whose wonder strike from outside the box flew into the top corner. Taylor wrapped the game up with another goal as the referee blew for the final whistle.

It was a great start from Unicorn but Pilks shown their resilience to get back in the game and advance to the last eight.