Wolves 0

Devonshire Colts 4

Kyle Jones notched the season’s first hat-trick as Devonshire Colts romped to an emphatic victory over Wolves at Devonshire Recreation Club last night.

The Colts striker’s goals came in a 21-minute sequence either side of half-time after midfielder Eli Smith had given the visiting side the lead midway through the first half.

The menacing Jones was a constant thorn in Wolves’ side throughout this lopsided contest, carving out acres of space in the attacking third and making the most of the chances that came his way.

Colts controlled this match from start to finish and, with better fortune, could have easily won by a wider margin against a Wolves side that were simply outplayed.

Chejon Berkeley, the Colts goalkeeper, was rarely tested and perhaps never had an easier night.

Colts let their intentions be known from the outset, playing with a high line to keep Wolves pinned in their own half for long spells.

Treshun Smith, the Colts winger, volleyed over the bar just moments before receiving treatment for a cut below his left eye after being struck by an elbow.

Paul Smith, the Colts defender, had a free kick repelled by Jahhi Shakir, the Wolves goalkeeper, before Jones came close to breaking the deadlock with a diving header. Enrique Wilkin also threatened with volley that fizzed past the far post.

With Lozendro Symonds, the Colts captain, and Wilkin bossing the middle of the park, it was always only a matter of time before they would find a way through Wolves’ last line of defence.

The home side’s luck finally ran out when Smith scored what would prove to be the winner after firing in his own rebound at the back post in the wake of his initial effort being parried by Shakir.

Jones opened his account moments before the half after capitalising on a defensive blunder in the box. The home team was restricted to just one shot on target during the opening stanza, a long-range free kick by Antoine Brangman, the captain, which was comfortably dealt with by Berkeley.

Wolves, who opened the season with a 2-0 win over BAA Wanderers last Friday, were more organised and created more chances in the second half. But they failed to put the shackles on Jones, who extended Colts’ lead with a glancing header with his back to goal and then completed his treble after blasting home from close range.