GREG Irwin became the fifth player to score a hat-trick this season for high-flying Haltwhistle Jubilee.

The early season table toppers in Northern Alliance Division Two brushed aside Stobswood 6-0 at the Burn.

But it wasn’t as straightforward as it sounded for the Jubes, who are three points clear of second placed Newbiggin with a game in hand.

They went into a game with a few regulars unavailable, and were only one goal to the good at half time.

Manager Cameron Bell said: “It was a fairly tight first half, with not a lot between the two sides.

“We scored two goals early in the second half which effectively killed the game. It was comfortable from then onwards really and we scored some good goals.

“Greg is the latest player to score a hat-trick for us so far, which really shows the goalscoring threat we have within our ranks.”

There were solitary strikes for Jack Currah, Scott Jacobsen, and Jack Barker, who was named man of the match.

“The win really showed the strength in depth we have in the squad, because we still put on a really good display with several key players missing.”

Haltwhistle are on home turf again on Saturday when they host Jesmond in another league encounter. Kick off at the Burn is 2.30pm.

The blue and whites are the highest scorers in Division Two, with 33 goals from their opening nine fixtures. They’ve also scored 25 goals in cup competitions, with 17 of those coming against Morpeth Town Reserves in the Reeves Independent George Dobbins League Cup.