LYMINGTON 5 UXBRIDGE 1

LYMINGTON and New Milton magician James Stokoe conjured up his second hat-trick in a week as Linnets destroyed Uxbridge 5-1 on Saturday.

The 21-year-old hitman gave his side the lead after just four minutes at Fawcett's Field when he coolly buried Sam Carter's cross.

Stokoe bagged his second on 55 when he spun the Uxbridge defender on the edge of the box before unleashing a dipping drive into the net.

And the ex-Eastleigh man completed his hat-trick three minutes later when he lobbed Reds goalkeeper Scott Tarr with a sweet half volley from 20 yards.

Goals from star debutant Christer Warren just past the hour and substitute Dan Cann's late effort sealed the rout, before Uxbridge's Papa Agyemang netted three minutes from time.

But the man-of-the-match champagne went to a delighted Stokoe, who has notched 10 goals in six matches for Linnets this term.

The star striker said: "You can't do it without your team mates - someone has got to be there to set you up. When you see the full backs bombing on and getting balls in there, it's a huge boost to you as a striker.

"The midfield also got up and supported me well today - it was a great team effort."

Stokoe and co. could have netted even more in the first half as they strove to kill off the Reds.

But when their deluge of goals came, the number nine proved why he is the Southern League Division One South and West's second highest scorer.

"I had a yard of space which gave me time to score the second and my third had a lucky bounce off the defender," added Stokoe.

"But I'm happy to be in such good form at the moment and hopefully, it will last throughout the season. I can then go on to bigger and better things both for my club and personally."

Linnets have scored at least four goals in all of their appearances at home this term.

And Stokoe hopes his team can start reproducing this form on their travels as they have yet to win away this season.

"We've got a great total of goals at home and have turned Fawcett's Field into a real fortress," said Stokoe.

"I can't see us being beaten here at this rate. If we can continue this and get some good results away, we could be pushing for a place in the top two."

Linnets: Hutchings, Carter, Lang, Waldock, Bowler, Ford, James (Cann, 66), Warren (Allen, 69), Stokoe, Gibbons, McCormick (Beck, 66). Unused subs: Redwood, Sheppard.