Watkins treble lifts Brentford to victory over Barnsley
London - Ollie Watkins scored a hat-trick of headers as Brentford won 3-1 at Championship strugglers Barnsley on Sunday.
Cauley Woodrow put Barnsley in front in the first minute, but Watkins took over with a superb display of finishing.
The Brentford striker equalised before half-time and then secured the points with two more headers in the second half to end Brentford's run of just one victory in seven games.
Barnsley, now without a win since the opening day of the season, had made a fine start when Woodrow curled into the top corner.
The visitors' equaliser came in the 35th minute when Mathias Jensen delivered an inch-perfect cross to the unmarked Watkins, who headed in from close-range.
Moments later, Watkins hit a post with a low shot and rattled the bar with his follow-up.
But Watkins bagged his second goal of inside the opening minute of the second half, heading in at the far post from a Sergi Canos cross.
It was no surprise when dominant Brentford increased their lead in the 68th minute.
Watkins completed his treble with another header from a Canos cross.
HEADLINES
- Wrexham financial records reveal club owes celebrity owners almost £9M
- Leicester taking legal action against EPL, EFL over financial charges
- Football chiefs aware of concussion risk for decades, court told
- Promotion-chasing Leicester charged by EPL for alleged financial breaches
- Regulator legislation exposes rift in English football