Harry Anderson earned the acclaim of head coach Danny Cowley after bagging his maiden career hat-trick in Colchester’s 3-1 home victory over Harrogate.
All three of his goals came in the first half after Colchester had fallen behind in the third minute to Stephen Duke-McKenna’s fine low shot into the far corner.
Anderson equalised in the 14th minute, scoring at the second attempt after his close-range header had been blocked following Kane Vincent-Young’s cross.
The winger then gave Colchester a 21st-minute lead from a few yards after Jack Payne’s low delivery.
Anderson completed his superb hat-trick in first-half stoppage time when he slid in to convert Arthur Read’s pass following another swift break.
Cowley said: “I’m pleased for Harry – it’s his first career hat-trick.
“We took him off at the end because I just felt he deserved the supporters’ applause.
“They were brilliant with him and I think they recognise he’s a boy that plays for the team and for players who play for the team, normally the game pays you back.
“It was his moment today and he’s so humble.
“He had the match ball under his arm, went and spoke to the boys and said ‘my first career hat-trick and then a minute later I have another chance to get a fourth and I sky it into the crowd and I think I’m back!’.
“I thought, performance-wise, we were too generous early on and then not ruthless enough at the end.
“But, of course, it’s a really important win and a really good win, particularly when you concede as early as we did.”
Harrogate have now suffered three straight defeats in League Two, leaving boss Simon Weaver frustrated.
He said: “I’m disappointed because we got off to such a good start.
“We gifted a talented attacking outfit in Colchester three goals out of nowhere, under no undue pressure.
“Sometimes as a manager, you’re ripping your hair out because you’re watching games two or three times back over trying to reflect calmly and thinking ‘is it the style of play, is it the system of play, are we exposing our defenders more than we should be’ because we’ve got to look at ourselves, first and foremost.
“We’ve watched the goals back already and what you’re trying to do as a manager is set up the team so you have the numerical advantage to be able to pick up in the box and have one spare.
“We did and we keep conceding goals when we’ve got the advantage.
“I’m looking at individuals at the minute and you’ve got to tell them the truth – they need to do more in our box.”
