A STIRRING second-half comeback saw Hamworthy United bring up a memorable Sydenhams Wessex Premier hat-trick to cap Shane Traynor’s first game as permanent manager.

Traynor, who had presided over wins against Whitchurch and Poppies on a caretaker basis, looked on at the County Ground as Newport took a 2-0 lead.

Sam Carr’s effort halved the deficit before goals from Paddy Hester and Aaron Corby completed the turnaround as Hammers climbed into the top half of the table.

“It was a great reaction after going 2-0 down against a well-organised team,” said Traynor. “The players showed determination and belief that they could go on to win the game.”

Traynor looks set to boost his striking options by dual-registering Conor Jevon from Southern League Premier Division leaders Weymouth.

Meanwhile, Chukuma Dibigbo netted twice as Poppies ended a four-match winless run with a 3-0 victory over Horndean at Victoria Park.

Dibigbo’s double sandwiched Elliot Ward’s 15th-minute strike as Poppies went some way to erasing the memory of the midweek defeat by Hamworthy.

Debutant Jamie Thoroughgood, signed from Christchurch, opened the scoring in Winchester City’s 4-0 win over Lymington. Warren Bentley (two) and Zach Glasspool were also on target.

New Milton Town overcame the absence of three first-choice players to register a 2-1 victory over Wessex One rivals Pewsey Vale.

Morgan Turner fired the visitors ahead and Robbie Woolner doubled their lead as fifth-placed Linnets remained on the coat-tails of the leaders.