A second-half hat-trick from Ashley Bankole ensured Wadham Lodge’s best win in the Essex Senior League to date, crushing Hullbridge Sports 4-0 on Saturday.

Italian midfielder Andrea Mantovani added the fourth for Lodge, who find themselves in fourth after 11 games of their maiden campaign at this level.

Wadham coach Neil Day said: “We sorted out a few glitches after training and simplified our game plan so there could be no misinterpreting what the management’s expectations are.

“We saw a great response today with the clean sheet perhaps as important as the goals we scored.”

He continued: “However, we had another four bookings and our disciplinary record is beginning to hurt the cub financially. Whilst the players have to take a large degree of responsibility it does seem we are receiving special treatment from officials.

“Today there were handbags involving 22 players, instigated by the opposition, which saw us receive three yellow cards and Hullbridge none.

“Whilst several Hullbridge players constantly swore at the referee without sanction, one of our players said something, without swearing, to an opponent and was booked."

Lodge go to Newham on Wednesday before hosting Waltham Forest on Saturday.

The Stags were beaten 1-0 at home by Sporting Bengal United on Saturday and are still awaiting their first league win.