Southend United striker Mark Rawle proved his fitness with a quickfire Roots Hall hat-trick during yesterday's 4-3 reserve team win over Northampton Town.
The 23-year-old, who missed Saturday's 3-2 Third Division defeat against Shrewsbury Town with a groin strain, grabbed his treble inside the opening 22 minutes.
And after nailing the Cobblers, Rawle said he was eager to make a Third Division return to the Shrimpers' attack at Oxford United this weekend.
Slick display - from Southend new boy Jay Smith Picture: ELISE GOW
"I felt a twinge in my groin before the Shrewsbury game, but I feel fine now and hope to be involved at Oxford," he said.
"That was my first hat-trick for Southend which made me very happy. Now I'd like to go on and get some goals for the first team."
Rawle grabbed his first goal after 26 seconds, meeting a right-wing cross from full-back Mark Beard with a flying header.
However, Northampton equalised three minutes later when Cobblers defender Luke Chambers outjumped Blues boss Rob Newman to convert Greg Lincoln's corner.
But Southend were back in front within two minutes. Loan Aston Villa midfielder Jay Smith, who produced a slick display in the centre of the park, picked out Rawle, leaving the frontman to round a defender and fire home from 12 yards.
Rawle netted his third goal after 22 minutes, charging down Chambers' attempted clearance before running clear and smashing the ball into the Northampton goal.
But defensive inadequacies allowed the visitors to tie things up before the break.
However, in the second half Blues' reserves sealed their first win of the season three minutes from time when front-runner Barrington Belgrave stabbed a left-wing cross from Danny Maye into the net at the second attempt.
Published Thursday August 22, 2002
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