Maidstone United manager George Elokobi on Shaq Coulthirst’s hat-trick in 4-0 National League South victory over Enfield Town

George Elokobi praised Shaq Coulthirst’s patience after the striker scored a hat-trick in Maidstone’s big home win over Enfield.

Coulthirst struck three times in 13 minutes to complete a 4-0 win as United went second in National League South on Saturday.

His only previous league goal came against Chesham in September.

He’s operated mainly from the bench since joining from Ebbsfleet last summer and was once again named among the substitutes against Enfield.

But he got his chance midway through the second half after Sol Wanjau-Smith went off injured and made it count as United chalked up a seventh successive win.

“It’s what you do behind closed doors when you’re not being selected,” said Stones boss Elokobi.

“He’s been ever-patient.

“I know his qualities, hence why I brought him to the club, to make sure he can score goals like that.

“In the 18-yard box he’s deadly, I know that, but he had to be patient because the other forwards were doing well ahead of him.

Report: Maidstone 4-0 Enfield

“When a player does right in training, you want him to have moments like this because it doesn’t just happen, he’s the first one to stay out, do the extras that we push him to and he wants to as well.

“It was a deserved hat-trick and hopefully there’s more to come from Shaq Coulthirst.”

Maidstone took advantage of Boreham Wood’s postponement to move up a place in the table.

They remain two points behind Torquay, however, after the leaders beat Welling 3-1 at Plainmoor.

Elokobi’s men had to work hard for their win over relegation battlers Enfield, who set their stall out to frustrate.

The visitors undid their good work with a silly handball from a free-kick giving Ben Brookes the chance to put the Stones in front with a well-taken