MANAGER Matty Holmes saluted “menace” Jack Lovell after his brace helped steer Wimborne Town to their first points of 2018.

In the absence of regular frontman Toby Holmes, Lovell performed superbly up front in Magpies’ 5-1 home victory over Cirencester Town.

Further goals from Lee Francis, Louis Kellaway and substitute Charlie Kendall meant the Cuthbury outfit ended a run of three straight defeats in Southern League West.

Holmes told the Daily Echo: “Jack led the line because Toby was on holiday and he was outstanding. He held the ball up well and also ran in behind.

“He was a menace for them and we could have had four or five in the first half. I thought we dominated.

“He has done a good job for us out wide and has played right-back as well. We know he can go up there and also play in a two with Toby, so we have that ammunition.

“The way Jack played on Saturday, I think he will have the hump with me if I don’t play him up front again!

“He works his socks off, has a great attitude and has developed so well since coming to us from the Wessex League.”

Lovell’s first strike came after Francis had put the hosts in front – he slotted home the opener after good work from Kellaway and Luke Burbidge.

Magpies were wobbled in the second half when Cirencester striker Alan Griffin lifted the ball over Gerard Benfield and into the net.

But the hosts responded when Kellaway got his name on the scoresheet and Lovell added his second eight minutes later.

There was still time for substitute Kendall to come off the bench and net his first goal for the club.

Holmes added: “We have to build on the performance because it was a wonderful display against a decent side. They were no mugs.

“I was so pleased that, at 2-1, we turned a corner. We managed the game better and good signs were there against a decent Cirencester side.

“We had been playing really well recently. It was just a shame we hadn’t got the result to match the performances.

“It all clicked on Saturday, even though we had a lot of players out.

“We shared the goals around with midfield players getting goals as well, which was wonderful.”

Wimborne moved up to sixth spot in the table following the success, leaving them three points off the top three.

They face a trip to league leaders Taunton Town on Tuesday (7.45pm). Skipper Scott Arnold is set to return but defender Matt Oldring is unavailable.

Taunton lead the division by five points and have only lost once in the league this season.

Magpies: Benfield, Penny, Cole, Oldring, Maybury, Kellaway (Shepherd, 87), Stokoe, Francis, Walker (Kendall, 65), Burbidge (Okumu, 83), Lovell. Unused sub: Walsh