Of course, you know what it’s like - you wait forever for a Charlie Ball hat trick- then two come along at once!! United’s talismanic striker had scored his first the week before, and the arrival of Wick at the Oval Arena was the perfect opportunity to feather his nest a little - just 13 minutes in, Ovenden’s corner from the right found ball on the edge of the box, his somewhat speculative lob evaded everyone, and it was 1-0. He nearly repeated the feet a minute later, but went just wide. Ovenden himself went close, his shot parried to the unplayable T’yano Wilson, whose shot was held by the keeper. Wilson had another chance moments later, but this time put it just over the bar. Wilson and Huchu continued to dominate the match, and it was not long before the pressure told, Ball’s shot/cross curled in for 2-0. To be fair to the Wick keeper - he was excellent. Wilson brought a great save from him, before James Hull forced two saves; on another day, this might have turned into another 9-0, Ball tried evading the keeper with a long range shot, but it also evaded the post, before yet another good save kept James Hull off the scoresheet.

The second half was more subdued as Wick looked to make sure they didn’t get embarrassed, even bringing a good save from Hobden in the United goal, before his counterpart resumed at the other end - this time it was Wilson who was denied. Farrell Wilson and Hull were victims of the keeper as they looked to make it three, before Koby Farrell made a deft run and crossed low for Ball to finish well for a second hat trick in consecutive league games. Right on the final whistle Hobden’s day was ruined as Wick got a consolation goal - the first league goal conceded by him in over four hours of play.

With the first of two games in hand completed, it was off to Little Common on Saturday, albeit it was actually played at the Oval, due to heavy rain forecast.

This was never going to be easy, Common have always been a thorn in United’s side, and Storey’s planning was at it’s best; just three minutes before Scott’s long throw was flicked on to who smashed the Ball home for 1-0. Farrell looked in a determined mood from the outset - he had a shot well saved by Crutwell before getting his name in the book! It didn’t deter him, and in a game played out mostly in midfield, it was Farrell who got on the end of Dan Hull’s flick to power a header home for 2-0.

As on Tuesday, the second half started with the opposition trying to lock up shop, Wilson almost unpicked the lock, but Crutwell again saved well. Nerves needed to be settled, and once again it was Charlie Ball who got on the endow of a pass from the excellent James Hull, to power home for 3-0 and game over! Hull nearly made it four on the final whistle, but again Crutwell denied him.

United snuck into eleventh albeit it with a game or two in hand still, and now look to welcome high flying Forest Row on Saturday, as they look to end the year in the top half of the table. Who would bet against a second consecutive playoff campaign now? It’s a 3pm kickoff at the Oval Arena.