HEREFORDSHIRE football star Jarrod Bowen scored his first senior hat-trick during West Ham United's 4-2 win against Brentford.
The 27-year-old, from Leominster, scored twice in the opening seven minutes to put his side in charge of the match before completing his hat-trick with a 63rd minute header.
“It feels incredible,” said Bowen afterwards talking to Sky Sports,” “I’ve had a couple of times where I’ve had two goals but haven’t got that hat-trick.
“To do it, of course it was on my mind at half-time as my first two goals were quickly after one another.
“I scored two goals in seven minutes, I don’t think I’ve ever scored two that quickly and you’re thinking ‘can I get the hat-trick’.
"You always want to score that third goal, it was a header which I don’t familiarise myself with too much but they all count.
“It’s my first match ball, especially winning the game, it was a really proud moment for me.
Bowen started his career as a youngster with Hereford United before moving to Hull City after their demise and then West Ham United in the Premier League.
During which time Bowen has scored 93 senior goals, but never three times in the same match. After scoring two goals in 15 matches he finally took the match ball home with a hat-trick against Brentford.
“You’re always waiting for that third goal but it never comes or you do too much with a chance for the third one,” added Bowen.
“I was just trying to get in the right areas in the box and trust that the ball will come in, it did on three different occasions.
“At that moment, of course the game was still going on, but I was so buzzing inside to get that first hat-trick.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here