IT was the Kelvin Thear show at the weekend as the 16-year-old guided Prudhoe Town to a 5-0 victory over Sunderland West End.

During a man of the match performance, the teenager hit the back of the net four times as he helped Town jump up two places to 14th in the table.

The youngster usually plays with Tow Law Town in the Northern League, but their lack of a game was to the benefit of Prudhoe as he showed his class in front of goal.

Sunderland arrived at Prudhoe for what was expected a close game after the Wearsiders knocked their hosts out of the semi-finals of the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup with an extra time winner.

Town refused to be put off their stride by the physicality of West, which only heightened the visitors’ frustrations. With their tempers fraying, they were reduced to 10 men in the first half when Mark Catcheside was shown red for dissent.

Prudhoe were unable to find the breakthrough in the opening half, though, Sunderland keeper Lee Burrell denying them with two top saves as the teams turned around goalless.

The floodgates opened after the break with Thear getting the ball rolling, before being joined on the scoresheet by Kieran Barker for 2-0.

And Thear put the result beyond doubt by hitting a further three goals, all four of his strikes of the highest order to justify his reputation as an exciting prospect.

Town built on the three points by drawing 1-1 with Annfield Plain on Wednesday, Lewy Teasdale striking for hosts Prudhoe.