CHRIS Venables netted a second half hat-trick to complete a 20 goal haul for the season - and his third straight Welsh Premier League Golden Boot Award - as Aberystwyth Town notched a 4-0 win over rivals Bangor City last weekend.

The result, in the last league game to be played on grass at Park Avenue, ensured that the Seasiders lifted themselves above their opponents, to finish the season eighth in the Welsh Premier League.

Aberystwyth must now rely on Airbus UK Broughton beating to The New Saints in the Welsh Cup Final on Bank Holiday Monday in order to qualify for the play-offs for Europe.

It was a pleasing end to the season - in Ian Hughes’ last game in charge - as Venables’ treble, and a late strike from Ross Stephens sealed the points in front of a bumper crowd of 751, boosted by a 'Family Fun Day'.

Bangor were themselves looking to maintain top spot in the Play-Off Conference, and expectation was high amongst the strong support.

City started the brighter of the two sides, but it was not until 24 minutes that the first chance saw Christian Langos drag his shot wide.

Ashley Young also tried a powerful effort from outside the box, which went wide, but Aber’s best chance fell to Stuart Jones, whose powerful header went over.

After a lacklustre first half, Bangor came out of the blocks quickest again after the restart, and Shaun Cavanagh forced a double save from Mike Lewis.

Langos once again posed a threat, but his tame effort did not trouble the Aber keeper, and it was the hosts who made the breakthrough.

Venables broke clear on the counter from a Kane Owen flick on 57 minutes and he made no mistake in beating a hitherto untroubled Connor Roberts in the visitors’ goal.

Just four minutes later Venables went in on goal again, after a neat back heel by Cledan Davies, to double the lead with a calm finish.

The game had been turned on its head, and Aber and pushed to increase their lead, with Craig Williams’ sublime free kick causing havoc, before being hacked clear by the Bangor defence.

Ross Stephens then came close with a thundering left footed effort that sailed just wide into the Dias Stand.

Aberystwyth continued to press, and on 72 minutes the league’s top assister Craig Williams played in Venables, and he rounded the keeper for his hat-trick.

Referee Mark Petch and his assistant dithered over the decision before awarding the goal, despite the virulent protests of City’s back four.

Bangor’s Play-Off hopes were over, and as the match drifted towards its end, the Seasiders rubbed more salt into their wounds when Ross Stephens bundled home from a Williams cross.

A late Porya Ahmadi shot was saved by keeper Lewis in the closing minutes of the game, but Aber celebrated their win with a clean sheet.

ABERYSTWYTH: M Lewis, A Corbisiero, C Davies (R Batley 77), R Stephens, S Jones, L Surman, G Kellaway, C Venables, C Williams (L Jaques 87), S James, K Owen (L Sherbon 78). Subs: W Thomas, J Rimmer, T Jones, N Blake.

BANGOR: C Roberts, A Cummins, S Hart, L Clowes, I Hughes, A Young, S Cavanagh, D Allen, P Ahmadi, C Langos, S Edwards (M Elstone 81). Subs: A Sarnowski (gk), C Jones, A Pritchard, C Owen. Att: 751.