Great Yarmouth Town striker Robert George hit a hat-trick on his second-string debut for Southend United against Gillingham at Roots Hall.

The 21-year-old, who has scored 16 goals for the Jewson League minnows this term, inspired Blues' reserves to a fifth successive Avon Insurance Combination win yesterday afternoon, stretching their unbeaten run to seven games.

And George, who works for an insurance company in Norwich selling pensions, said he could not have asked for a better performance.

"It was unbelievable to score a hat-trick and I'm well pleased," said the hitman. "I've had a few trials before, at places like Swindon and Fulham, but I've never got three goals.

"I just hope Southend were happy with my performance. They have asked me to come back and play again and my aim is to try and impress them enough so they get me in for pre-season training."

George also revealed that sacked Shrimpers boss Rob Newman was the first person to become aware of his deadly poaching instincts.

"Rob got in contact with me a few weeks ago and wanted me to come down and play in Steve Tilson's testimonial match at Roots Hall," added the forward, who is a former Norwich City trainee.

"But it never happened because Rob got the sack and I thought the chance had gone. Luckily for me the club followed up Rob's interest and invited me down to play against Gillingham's reserves.

"I jumped at the chance of having a game for Southend as I'm desperate to try and get into full-time football. You've got to chase your dream and hopefully my hat-trick will have helped mine move a step closer."

Shrimpers frontman Mark Salter laid on the first goal will a brilliant right-wing cross, which George hammered inside the left-post after just five minutes.

George turned provider on ten minutes, controlling a pass from Anthony Clark, allowing fellow trialist James Miller to hammer an unstoppable 18-yard effort into the roof of the net of the side who have just released the midfielder.

Goal number three arrived one minute before the break, George getting his head to a left-wing cross-shot from youngster Michael Kightly at the far post. And the rookie forward cemented his treble nine minutes after the interval, breaking into the box to curl a six-yard effort around stranded Gills goalkeeper Danny Knowles.

Southend: Gay, A Clark (Everett), Tilson, Lunan, Jordan, Miller, Thurgood, Beard, Salter (Morris), George, Kightly.

Published Tuesday, April 15, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Echo