Maidstone United 4 Havant & Waterlooville 0 match report: Jack Barham scores his third hat-trick this season

Jack Barham scored in the first minute and went on to complete his third hat-trick of the season for league leaders Maidstone.

Barham’s treble took his tally for the season to 15 while top scorer Joan Luque moved on to 21 after adding a penalty, as United maintained their four-point cushion at the top of National South.

It was a 12th successive home win for as Maidstone maintained their title charge with a dominant performance against a Havant side who arrived at the Gallagher unbeaten in seven games.

Maidstone blew away the Hawks with two goals in the opening eight minutes.

The first came with less than a minute played, with former Stones loanee Ross Worner at fault.

He came out of his goal to head clear Luque’s long ball nodded it straight up in the air.

The ball was collected by Barham, who turned and brilliantly lobbed him from about 30 yards out.

Barham went close to a second, taking a touch and volleying wide at the near post, after Luque intercepted a poor clearance and crossed.

He was soon celebrating again, though, after finding himself in acres of space from Michael Phillips’ through ball and showing great composure to go through and beat Worner.

Maidstone blew an early two-goal lead against St Albans last week and looked to determined to avoid a repeat, dealing with long throws and long balls into the box with relative ease.

Luque flicked wide after a lovely switch from Jerome Binnom-Williams put Roarie Deacon in for a cross, before number three followed in the 31st minute.

Billy Clifford wiped out Johl Powell in the box, a really silly challenge, the easiest penalty Marc Whaley will ever award.

Luque, with his stuttering run-up, sent Worner the wrong way from the spot with a cool strike.

Clifford was hauled