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Jonte cracks another hat-trick

Jonte Smith netted a hat trick against Walton Casuals in the Isthmian League Cup earlier this week

Jonte Smith bagged a hat-trick to send Metropolitan Police FC through to the next stage of the Isthmian League Cup.It was the Bermudian striker’s second treble of the season as the Blues beat Walton Casuals 5-3 at Imber Court in midweek.It took his season tally to 22 goals in all competitions.Smith, who has made 15 appearances for Met Police so far this term, opened his account just before the half, nodding in a cross at the back post to give his team a commanding 3-0 lead.He added a second in the 79th minute, applying the final touch to a fruitful counter attack and completed his hat-trick in the 87th minute with a deft chip over the onrushing ‘keeper after latching on to a long punt upfield.“I was feeling confident and was aware of everything around me and it just felt more natural,” Smith told The Royal Gazette. “I think it was probably my best performance of the season.”The visitors staged a spirited second-half fightback which saw them shave the deficit down to one goal within 20 minutes of the restart before Smith struck his late double salvo to finally kill off Casuals.“We started off a bit sloppy but got into the game and went up 3-0 and then in the second half they got a penalty and kept pressing on from there,” Smith said. “They were just pressing on and throwing everyone forward and I guess we panicked a little.”Blues manager Jim Cooper made six changes to his squad for Wednesday’s game from the one that lost 5-1 in a league clash with Concord last weekend.“There were a lot of changes involved but I think the standard of the team was pretty much the same,” Smith said. “There are a lot of talented and good players in the full squad.”Smith, 18, and his team -mates will now turn their attention to today’s league encounter with Lewes who are two places above the Blues in 16th in the 22-team Ryman League Premier Division.“We are looking to climb up the table,” said Smith, who has had a loan spell with Met Police from parent club Crawley Town extended another month. “We have a few games in hand and if we win them we could go as high as seventh or eighth.“We have had a pretty good run in all of the cups we have been in so we have missed league games which are starting to pile up on us.”