Marc McGrath takes control of the ball during his St Martin’s debut in which he scored a first-half hat-trick. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 0699857)

St Martin’s 3 Vale Rec 1
‘NOT a bad signing.’

Those were St Martin’s president Henry Davey’s thoughts as Marc McGrath scored a first-half hat-trick on his debut for the Blanche Pierre Lane club on Saturday.

Former island striker McGrath’s move from Bels was completed during the week and his three goals set up the victory over Vale Rec, who, despite shifting up a gear in the second half, could not recover from his strikes.

Saints’ second team coach Alfie Le Page, who was acting as Colin Fallaize’s assistant on the day, was delighted with the club’s new acquisition.

‘What a debut,’ he said of McGrath.

‘To get a first-half hat-trick is brilliant. We’ve needed an out-and-out goal scorer at this club for the last five years and now with Marc and Tippy [Ryan Tippett], we’ve got two island players who know where the goal is.’