Two draws from the opening two games was less than Jiggle had been hoping for but represented a solid enough start to 2004. Jiggle had become draw specialists of late, having drawn six of the last ten games so tonight's third match of the New Year Fives represented a defining moment, it was time to start turning draws into wins. That wouldn't be easy as tonight's opposition Two Left Feet were the side that effectively ended Jiggle's hopes of an Autumn Finals place in a 1-1 draw just last month. Jiggle had played well that day but had been unable to find the finish? Would tonight be different?

Two Left Feet 0 FC Jiggleitalittleitllopen 5 (David Leake 2 Sam Cohen 4,13,18 Dave Carling 13)

The shy and retiring Sam Cohen became the first Jiggle player to score a hat-trick as the Jigglers turned on the style to crush Two Left Feet in Week 3 of the New Year Fives.

It was a match of memorable landmarks with David Leake scoring for a sensational second year running, while Sam now needs just one more to take the record of most goals in one season. After a steady start to the season this was just the tonic needed to get things going for the challenges of the weeks ahead.

Fortunately Roy wasn't reffing tonight otherwise the shock of seeing an unchanged Jiggle line-up just might have finished him. But Roy, ever considerate was the first to ask after the welfare of the absent Nick Rapley who continues to be struck down by a particularly messy bout of piles, even recommending a cream to aid Nick's recovery. Rumours he also offered to apply it have yet to be confirmed. Nick, and Andy Chong who will soon be seeing a physio regarding his injured ankle were the two absentees, while Paul Eagle was back in Chichester after his appearance last week. So, it was again David Leake and Stuart MacPherson at the back, Dave Carling and Sam Cohen in attack and Chris Laker providing the back-up.

Jiggle started on the offensive and Dave Carling set the tone for the match with a determined run that forced a defender to concede a throw on the corner of his own box inside the opening twenty seconds. With the pressure on straight away it was vital to capitalise with an early breakthrough. It came and it was well worth the ten month wait as good work by Sam on the left created the chance for the trusty left boot of David Leake to drive decisively into the bottom corner. Dave's second goal in 56 appearances and by far his best.

Two minutes later and the good start became a great start as Dave Carling classily flicked the ball into the path of Sam, he sidestepped the last defender and slotted neatly past the keeper for a 2-0 lead.

Having had a two-goal lead and blown it to Whisky Chasers on the opening day Jiggle weren't about to relinquish this one. Two almost became three on six minutes as Dave Carling outpaced the defence only for the keeper to make a brave block before Sam hit the post with the follow-up. The chances continued to flow, Stu firing inches wide of the near post ater good link-up play with Dave Carling and Dave Leake, scenting more glory denied a second by a juggling save from the keeper just before half-time.

Jiggle were looking dangerous on every attack but were served a timely reminder of the need to kill the game off just seconds after the second-half restart as Phil Laker was called upon to save at his near post after a neat Two Left Feet build-up.

Jiggle heeded the warning and wrapped the game up with a decisive two-goal burst. Three minutes into the second-half Dave Leake this time turned provider laying the ball forward to Dave Carling who confidently dispatched the second left-footed strike of the night past the Two Left Feet keeper. A first goal since the summer for Dave and richly deserved after a spell of prolific post-battering in the Autumn Fives.

Everyone was keen to get in on the act so why should the keeper be left out? Two minutes after Dave's third, a Two Left Feet attack broke down, Phil launched a throw into the path of Sam who drifted right and finished expertly to make it 4-0.

Jiggle's biggest ever win, the 5-0 demolition of Southern Celtic in Summer 2001 was coming under attack for the first time. Another landmark up for grabs was the first Jiggle hat-trick. Dave Carling almost had it when dodgy refereeing disallowed his hat-trick goal against Robimatics at Burgess Hill last summer, and Sam could have had it against Crawley Casuals in the Autumn.

This was to be Sam's night. With three minutes to go he was released through the middle and denied by another good block by the keeper, who excelled himself again to boot away Dave Carling's rebound. A minute later it was worked to Sam on the left, he advanced and this time made no mistake, burying a sweet right foot shot inside the keeper's near post.

5-0 and maybe still time to break the Southern Celtic record. Sam's pinpoint corner was met by Chris Laker with a shot well wide at the back post.

The full-time whistle and an emphatic win to kick-start this New Year season. Attacking football, tidy finishing and everyone looking in good form. Next test comes next Friday when Resident Weasels are the opposition in a 9pm kick-off. Let's keep up the good work!

Team: Phil Laker, David Leake, Stuart MacPherson, Dave Carling, Sam Cohen. Sub. Chris Laker (for David Leake 15)