Billericay Town's top star Joe Baker celebrated his 24th birthday in stunning style last night - by scoring his second first-half hat-trick in successive games.

Baker grabbed a trio in Monday's Bank Holiday bonanza at New Lodge when Gary Calder's men produced their best Ryman League Premier Division win of the season by crushing Essex rivals Heybridge Swifts 5-1.

Then last night (Thursday), at a Sutton United side who were only relegated from the Nationwide Conference at the end of last term, Baker was up to his hat-trick feats again.

He opened his account after 13 minutes before setting the game alight with a superb run from the halfway line which he finished by shooting past home keeper Tom Dunn on the 36-minute mark.

He completed his treble a minute before half-time with an effort which home man Richard Horner could only deflect into his own net.

That was also credited to Baker and, five minutes earlier, he had gone close to setting up a goal for Jeff Woolsey - his corner being headed against the bar by the defender.

Once again Town, and Baker in particular, had the game sewn up by the break but Dominic Gentle put the icing on the cake two minutes after the interval when he scored from Lee Williams's set-up.

The Surrey hosts did have the last word when Chris Boothe scored at the second attempt after Town goalkeeper Gavin King had saved his original shot, but this was very much Billericay's night.

They go to boss Calder's former club Enfield, who play their home games at Boreham Wood, tomorrow defending a run of just two League defeats in 19 games.

Town then host Purfleet on Tuesday and visit Hendon on Thursday and after this, their biggest away win of the season, must now be rated as having an excellent chance of at least matching last season's best ever Premier finishing position of seventh.

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