MATT Geen smashed a hat-trick as Harwich and Parkeston ran out 4-0 winners at home to Hatfield Peverel, in the Essex and Suffolk Border League premier division on Saturday.

It was a very impressive victory for the Shrimpers, who are now sixth in the league, and their sixth win from seven games in 2017.

With only a couple of matches remaining, they must be wishing there was more of the campaign still to go.

There was a minute's silence before kick-off in memory of 1950s Harwich player Roy Foley, who made 97 first-team appearances, and stalwart supporter and former senior referee Don McCleod.

Harwich were on top from the start but goalkeeper Jason Kew handled their efforts confidently.

In the 40th minute, the Shrimpers took the lead with an excellent goal, with Geen powering in his shot from an angle.

The pattern continued after the interval, with Brad Westley, always prominent in the Shrimpers attacks, creating a gilt-edge chance which his team-mates fluffed.

Peverel had a spell when they threatened but, in the 70th minute, Sam Thompson sent over a perfect low cross which Luke Barnard tapped home for Harwich's second.

The visitors had a chance but Ross Long missed when clean through.

In the 77th minute, Geen scored a classy third for Harwich, bringing the ball down and shooting on the turn into the net.

In the last minute, he then completed his hat-trick.

Harwich are without a fixture tomorrow.