Top scorer Kamani McFarlane’s hat-trick inspires 4-1 Isthmian South East win at AFC Croydon Athletic ahead of big derby against Faversham Town

Hat-trick hero Kamani McFarlane led the way in Herne Bay’s big weekend win - but was surprised to leave with the match ball!

McFarlane rounded off Bay’s 4-1 Isthmian South East success at high-fliers AFC Croydon late on, having netted twice in the opening 45 minutes.

It proved a first for Herne Bay’s 14-goal top scorer.

“That’s his first-ever hat-trick,” revealed player-manager Liam Friend.

“He was buzzing after the game. Obviously, he got the match ball.

“He thought we had stolen the ball to give him but I told him that’s the rules! Hopefully, he scores a few more.

“In the first half, he was probably having to do a bit more of a defensive job and still got two goals. That shows he is building his game and doing the off-the-ball things, as well.

“In the second half, off the ball, he didn’t do as much as I wanted him to. But when you score a hat-trick, you’re allowed those 25 minutes.

“His three strikes were brilliant.

"He could have even had a fourth or a fifth because one of his goals was probably harder to score than two others he missed.

“But that’s football. He deserves it because he’s a good lad.

“He was getting a bit of stick before the game because he had gone two games without scoring and we were trying to make that sound like a long time.

"Someone told him the other team had the best player in the league, as well, and he seemed to take that a bit personally.

“Perhaps, we need to come up with a bit more light-hearted criticism for him before the weekend.”

McFarlane put the visitors into a 2-0 half-time advantage and, although Danny Kedwell’s men pulled one back, despite having defender Cian McCarthy dismissed, striker Alfie Bloomfield restored the two-goal cushion. McFarlane wrapped it up on 88 minutes.

Friend,