CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe reckons Football League frontmen face a tricky task to beat James Hayter's 140-second hat-trick.

Tomorrow marks the 14-year anniversary of the striker's treble during a 6-0 victory over Wrexham at Dean Court, the fastest hat-trick in Football League history.

Howe, a Portsmouth player at the time of the feat, told the Daily Echo: "I wasn't at the game but when I heard about it, I congratulated James because it was incredible.

"I watched the footage back because I was interested to see how you could score a hat-trick that quickly.

"I was trying to work out how quickly the team had to win the ball back and get it to James to score, not just once but twice.

"It was one of those moments where everything seemed to fall into place and he managed to put the goals away. It's going to be tough to beat."

Now coaching part-time in Cherries' youth ranks, Hayter lodged with Howe in Springbourne in the early stages of his first-team career at the Dorset club.

In an interview with the Daily Echo this week, Hayter described Howe as a "good landlord", prompting the latter to return the compliment.

Howe said: "He was very good – he always paid on time!

"Having bought my first place, I was looking to supplement my wages to pay the mortgage and James was my first lodger, then Carl Fletcher.

"I had two great players stay with me and they became great friends."