RISING young striker Jack Till will never forget his senior debut for Lye Town.

Till was thrown into Lye’s starting line-up for their FA Cup clash against AFC Wulfrunians and responded with a match-winning hat-trick.

Joint-boss Martin Thomas said: “Jack’s dad works with Ben Billingham’s father. He phoned up out of the blue and asked to come training with us.

“He’d been in the Kidderminster Harriers academy side through their links with Stourbridge College.

“We were missing a few players and decided to throw Jack in at the deep end after he’d impressed when coming on as a substitute in pre-season and he took his chance with both hands.

“I told him he’ll remember the game for the rest of his life and the fact he’s scored a hat-trick in the FA Cup.”

Lye were forced to reverse their extra preliminary round tie owing to the fact they share their Stourbridge Road ground with Lye Cricket Club.

As a result, they must play their first seven games away from home.

The prospects of Lye progressing in the FA Cup looked distinctly unlikely after Wulfs took a 2-0 lead through Jake Webb and a tremendous Jamie King free kick.

But Till brought Lye back into contention with a goal just before half time.

Further Till strikes in the 77th and 87th minute sent Lye through to the next round and a trip to Northern Premier Division One South side Kidsgrove Athletic on August 20 (3pm).

Lye were able to welcome back former players Ben Jevons, Steve Weaver and central defender Sam Mills who all featured in the starting line-up while new recruit Chris Henry appeared on the bench along with Dan Flowers, Jason Gordon and Luke McDonnell.

Lye start their league campaign on Saturday with a trip to Coleshill Town and then go to Loughborough University on Tuesday.