STRIKING duo Chris Mortlock and Cory Hyde are going toe-to-toe in a battle for the golden boot award at Pegasus Juniors.

The pair have already hit 42 goals between them as Pegasus have risen to fourth in the West Midlands League Premier Division and reached the semi-finals of the HFA County Challenge Cup.

Manager Chris Hyde has called Mortlock ‘irreplaceable’ at West Midlands League level.

Mortlock was at his predatory best against Dudley Sports last Saturday, firing in a four-goal second-half salvo to lead Pegasus to a 13th league win from 18 matches.

“Chris Mortlock is irreplaceable at our level,” said Chris Hyde.

“We’ve had a conversation at the club on what we would do if we needed to replace either of our two strikers.

“It would take hundreds of pounds to get somebody better than the two we have got because we would not find replacements in Herefordshire.

“Our strikers are a partnership – one will score four and the other will make two or three.

“Cory scored a lot early on – when Mortlock wasn’t scoring and now it’s turned around a bit. I thinkI would be happy with scoring 30 goals this season.”

Mortlock, a former Hereford United youth player, has netted 18 goals in the league and 20 in total this season, with Chris Hyde’s son, Cory, hitting 22.

Mortlock, 28, said: “I used to be a central-midfielder and I was thrown up front by Bryan Bouston for a county game and I have stayed there ever since.

“It’s nice to be talked about as a goal-scorer but if Pegasus are winning and Cory is scoring the goals, I am just as happy.

“I am catching up Cory a bit now and it’s going to be a fight for the golden boot.

“Cory has been excellent – he always puts in a lot and we have played together for many years and we have a great understanding.”

Mortlock opened the scoring against Dudley, two minutes into a second half which exploded into life after a disjointed opening 45 minutes.

The lively Kane Kahaki was full of running in the opening half and was supported by Tom Dawson and Jack Lewis as Pegasus passed the ball well but could not break through.

But Mortlock’s opener after running on to through-ball and neatly flicked the ball over the advancing goalkeeper, lifted Pegasus and sparked an avalanche of goals.

He doubled the lead in the 59th minute, heading home a right-wing cross from Hyde and the striker completed his treble soon afterwards, nodding home an excellent cross from Richard Harrison.

Harrison added Pegasus’ fourth goal with a well-taken finish after a defence-splitting pass from midfielder Anthony Robbins as the home side took control.

Dudley pulled a goal back through Jack Lewis’ own goal following a rare second half attack but the home side finished with a flourish.

Mortlock bagged his fourth goal of the afternoon from close range before Mark Davies rounded off the scoring with a stunning strike two minute into stoppage-time.

The substitute picked up a loose ball around 25 yards out and his right-foot drive sailed into the top right-hand corner of the net.

Mortlock said: “We have run riot a few times attacking the car park end in the second half.

“It would have been nice to have kept a clean sheet but Jack Lewis is a bit disappointed. But he could not have done anything about the one we conceded. “

He added: “When Chris Hyde came back as manager in the summer, I was particularly pleased because we had a great time before with him as the boss,” said Mortlock, who hit 28 goals last term.

“He first brought me to Pegasus when I was 19 and he gave me a chance to play senior football.”

He added: “The amount of effort from people like Kevin Bishop and Chris Wells, Dave Smith and they look after you very well.”