Zak celebrates first Paulsgrove league start with hat-trick in stunning away victory at Stockbridge

Willett played in the Portsmouth Sunday League in 2019/20 for North End Cosmos, but has made an impressive step up to Saturday football.

He came on as a sub and scored in last Wednesday’s 5-1 home win over Liss, and was rewarded with a starting place at Stockbridge.

Willett promptly netted twice in the opening 14 minutes and completed his treble shortly after the hour mark as Grove romped to a startling 8-1 victory.

It was the second time in three league games that Grove had netted eight goals – their last match prior to life in lockdown in March resulted in an 8-0 home win over Lyndhurst.

‘A few people mentioned Zac’s name to me,’ said Grove boss Wayne Grant, ‘so we brought him in in the summer and decided to take a punt on him.

‘He’s very raw, but very, very rapid - him and Danny Lane are looking a formidable partnership up top.’

Lane followed up his hat-trick against Liss with a first half double as Grove went in at half-time 5-1 up on a ground where they lost 1-0 last season.

‘It’s normally a very tough place to go,’ said Grant, ‘but we were really on song.’

Jay Eames, who played for AFC Portchester’s reserves last term, skipper Aaron Fennemore - with a 30-yard screamer - and Reece Lewis were also on target.

Eames and another new signing, Michael Essai from Midhurst, were paired together at the centre of defence while Tom Doughty - who was at Horndean and Fleetlands in 2019/20 - impressed in a defensive midfield role.

In a good day for the club, Paulsgrove’s newly-established reserve team beat Hayling United 3-2 with goals from Ben Wearn, Ashley Donald and Josh Parry.

‘We’ve got two strong squads,’ said Grant. ‘It’s a lot different to how it was this time last year

‘I’m delighted - it’s looking good.’