Casuals striker Kieran Cook struck a superb hat-trick, but his three goals were not enough to secure all three points as Wolverhampton Casuals were held to a 3–3 draw by local rivals Bilston Town.

Casuals will perhaps feel this was two points dropped rather than a point gained after twice taking the lead, including a commanding 3–1 advantage early in the second half.

Nevertheless, there were plenty of positives for the Cassies, with Cook in particular producing a clinical display in front of goal.

The opening 15 minutes were fairly even, with neither side able to establish any real control. That changed in the 17th minute when Casuals broke the deadlock.

Poskitt did brilliantly to retain possession across the box before laying the ball off to Cook, who made no mistake, smashing the ball home to give Casuals a 1–0 lead.

Casuals almost doubled their advantage shortly afterwards. Another dangerous Poskitt delivery from a corner found Liam Kirton, but the Casuals defender could only head over the bar.

Bilston remained a threat, particularly from set pieces, and came close to an equaliser in the 24th minute. Bustin’s corner picked out Priest, whose header looked destined for the net before being cleared off the line.

Set pieces would ultimately prove costly for Casuals.

In the 30th minute, another Bustin corner found Bright completely unmarked at the far post and he was given the simplest of tasks, heading home to level the contest at 1–1.

Casuals responded positively and thought they had regained the lead when Liam Kirton followed up after the Bilston goalkeeper, Crump, had blocked an effort. The flag was raised for offside, however, and the goal was ruled out.

The pressure eventually told in the 36th minute.

Following the award of a free-kick around 20 yards from goal, Bilston’s Jordan Crump was sin-binned. Cook stepped up to take responsibility and produced a superb finish, sending the free-kick into the bottom-left corner with James Crump in the Bilston goal left with no chance.

Casuals went into the interval deservedly ahead at 2–1.

The hosts started the second half positively and pressed Bilston back, and their pressure was rewarded in the 55th minute.

Storey showed excellent strength to win possession and then produced a clever lay-off into the path of Cook. The striker did the rest, placing his finish beyond Crump and into the net to complete his hat-trick 3–1 to Casuals.

At that stage, the Cassies looked well placed to take control of the game.

But Bilston refused to fold.

The visitors responded with a strong spell of possession and, in the 66th minute, took advantage of a Casuals corner to launch a quick break. Substitute Dixon finished the move emphatically, reducing the deficit to 3–2 and giving Bilston renewed belief.

The visitors pushed forward in search of an equaliser and Casuals were increasingly forced to defend their advantage.

Then, in the 83rd minute, the set-piece weakness struck again.

Bustin delivered another dangerous corner and once more Yankson was left unmarked at the far post. He made no mistake with his header, bringing Bilston level at 3–3.

With time running out, both sides appeared reluctant to commit too many players forward in search of a winner. The game petered out into a cautious finish, with neither side willing to risk losing the point they had secured.

The final whistle confirmed a share of the spoils.

For Casuals, it was a frustrating conclusion to a game in which they had led twice and, at one stage, looked firmly in control. Kieran Cook’s hat-trick deserved better reward, but Bilston’s resilience and their threat from set pieces ultimately ensured the points were shared.

Casuals’ first draw of the season leaves them with plenty to build on, although they will undoubtedly look back on this one knowing that a 3–1 lead should have been enough to secure victory.

Button Oak Photography covered the game for the club yesterday, their images from the game can be seen by clicking Bilston Town - Home

Next Saturday there is a break in league action, when we welcome Studley to Brinsford Stadium for a Second Round Qualifying FA Vase fixture, kick off 3 pm.