A FIRST-HALF hat-trick from Josef Lamberton helped Wokingham & Emmbrook FC Oranges overcome Heart of Teddlothian Tigers 3-1 in their East Berkshire Football Alliance U15s Division Four tussle.

Oranges started slowly, but against the run of play they opened the scoring after 13 minutes when Kai Evans crossed from the right – the ball was met by Matt Rogers who saw his effort hit the crossbar, but Lamberton was on hand to turn in the rebound.

Lamberton doubled his team’s advantage six minutes later, when George Watkins’ long clearance was nodded on by Joe Turner, right into Lamberton’s path; the in-form striker burst into the box and fired home confidently.

Hearts pulled one back after half an hour with a well-struck long-range effort, but Lamberton completed his hat-trick and restored his side’s two-goal advantage just before the break, running on to collect Turner’s clever ball over the Teddington defence.

Both teams created chances in the second half, but neither side was able to finish, so the game ended with a hard fought, well-earned victory for the young Sumas.