When it comes to scoring goals already in the early season Darron Simons is proving there are few who can do it better.

The 23-year-old forward got Dandy Town off to a tremendous start in their Martonmere Cup campaign by hammering a hat-trick to lead them to victory in this opening game at PHC Stadium last night.

Simons has now scored five goals compared with six by his former Town team-mate Dennis Robinson of North Village.

The goal spree by Simons followed up his fine performance when he scored both goals in Dandy Town's 2-0 victory over Vasco in the Charity Cup in the season opener at BAA on September 24.

Despite Simons' goals the Trojans were still able to mount a serious challenge right to the end even though they were forced to battle on for most of the second half without right full-back Rudolph Butterfield who was sent off for his second bookable offence by referee Richard Knight after 54 minutes.

Like a fighting tiger refusing to go down until the last breath had gone from its body, the Trojans had enough chances near the end to come out of the clash with at least a draw.

Yet few will deny Dandy Town deserved to win. By the half they held a 2-1 lead with Simons putting them ahead 1-0 after 26 minutes when substitute Joey Weeks combined with Carlos Smith to provide the pass for him to stroke home from close range.

Jerry Webb got the equaliser eight minutes later when Lamal Crofton sent over an accurate cross that Webb blasted at goalkeeper Cymande Davis who palmed it away only to see the ball go directly to Webb who made no mistake from the rebound. It was the Trojans' first goal of the season in three games.

But Johnny-on-the-spot Simons was again on hand to re-establish his team's one-goal advantage after 42 minutes when he headed a goal after a shot by Carlos Smith crashed off the post.

A Dandy Town romp seemed on the cards after their opponents were reduced to 10 men early in the second half and Simons put them 3-1 up after 60 minutes when he headed home a cross by Kris Martin. But the Trojans refused to throw in the towel.

Several times the west enders caught Town over-attacking and it was during these quick counter-attacks that substitute Anthony Bailey, Lamal Crofton and Kwame Tucker came very close to scoring.

But Dandy Town had their chances too with Ricardo Tucker advancing to block Simons on a breakaway after 76 minutes being their best effort in the closing stages.

Dandy Town now need just a draw against Boulevard in the final group match in two weeks time to be certain of a place in the semifinals. Somerset, who have played their two matches and have one point, are hoping Town can beat Boulevard by more than two goals.

Dandy Town: C.Davis; L.Christopher, W.Rudo, W.Campbell, T.Durham, W.Musson; L.Furbert (G.Johnson, 73 min), Kr.Martin, A.Russell (J.Weeks, 21 min); C.Smith, D.Simons.

Somerset Trojans: R.Tucker; R.Butterfield, S.Roberts, J.Burrows, A.Rahman, S.Riley; R.Tucker, S.Arorash (A.Bailey, 65 min), C.Grant (K.Tucker, 72 min); L.Crofton, J.Webb.

Referee: Richard Knight Men of the match: Darron Simons (Dandy Town); Reggie Tucker (Trojans).