JARED Lewington fired home a hat-trick in Buckland Athletic’s latest outing, admitting that this form in front of goal has been “A long time coming.”

The former Torquay United man scored three of the goals in a 5-1 Western Football League win for Buckland against a struggling St Blazey side.

It was fullback Sam Morcom who opened the scoring at Homers Heath- Cieran Bridger carrying the ball well before sliding it through for Morcom who slotted beyond the oncoming goalkeeper after 15 minutes.

Lewington was then on the receiving end of a superb Ben Fowles delivery to double the lead for the home side before Charlie Hambly fired St Blazey back into the game just before the break.

Adam Seedhouse-Evans celebrates the Buckland opener
Adam Seedhouse-Evans celebrates the Buckland opener (Jamie Rooke)

Two more goals from Lewington in the second half, one from the penalty spot, as well as debut delight for Will Hughes just moments after he was subbed on by manager Dan Hart, put the game to bed. It may have been scrappy but the youngster won’t care.

Lewington, who also hit the crossbar twice and could easily have had five or six, spoke of “Having been out for a while and trying to get back up to speed” and there can’t be many better ways to do it, although he stressed that “it was a good win for the team more importantly.”

“It’s pleasing for him to get on the scoresheet and get a hat-trick” in the words of Hart, who added “he’s had to stand up today with Ryan Bush out injured and he’s done just that.

“Hopefully he can get in a really good vein of form now and score us some important goals.”

Jared Lewington ready to strike from the penalty spot
Jared Lewington ready to strike from the penalty spot (Jamie Rooke)

Welton Rovers, rock-bottom with a record of 0-0-27 now, are the only side below St Blazey in the standings, but the reverse fixture ended 1-0 so this was by no means a foregone conclusion, a sentiment echoed by the Buckland boss.

“I think it’s always important that you learn in the second game that you face a team in the season, whether you won, lost or drew, that you take something from it and we certainly did.”

Buckland ran up the score thanks to being “excellent in the second half” and now look forward to a short trip to Ivybridge Town on Saturday, February 1.