ASHLEY Lally marked his Haltwhistle Jubilee debut with a perfect hat-trick against West Jesmond on Saturday.

The instant impact of the new signing inspired his teammates to demolish the fifth-place Tynesiders 8-1 at the Burn.

A header, and a goal with each foot, saw Lally get off the mark in style in a game which saw the Jubes move to within three points of league leaders Ponteland United Reserves, with three games in hand.

Jack Barker scored a brace, while Paul Wilson, Scott Jacobsen, and Reece Thirtle also netted for a Haltwhistle side which has scored a remarkable 62 goals in 15 league matches this season.

“We’re all delighted for Ashley,” said manager Cameron Bell. “His goals came in the second half, and it was the perfect hat-trick.

“He was well looked after by the other lads, and it was pleasing to score so many goals.

“West Jesmond weren’t at their best, but we took advantage of a few mistakes, and we need to keep up that level of sharpness for the remainder of the season.”

Thirtle was man of the match for Haltwhistle, who had to shuffle their pack due to a number of injuries.

Bell added: “The result was more impressive as many of the lads were struggling with knocks, and we had to use the rolling subs to help us through the game.

“Andy Wrightson stepped in and did well, there was great commitment from Jack Currah to come straight from the airport to be a sub, and the veterans Stuart Bell and Mark Armstrong arrived late from work to go on the bench.”

Haltwhistle have a lot to play for, with two cup semi-finals and a league title challenge ahead.

On Saturday, they travel to Cullercoats in the Northumberland FA Minor Cup. And on Saturday, March 23, the Jubes will host Morpeth in the Tyneside Amateur Shield.