JAKE Gilbert marked his return to the club on a full-time basis with a hat-trick as Morwenstow secured their first victory of the season against Holsworthy Reserves.

Gilbert, who has remained dual-registered while at Bude Town, scored in the first half as the sides went in level at 2-2 before scoring both after the break.

However, it was Holsworthy that struck first inside two minutes as striker Rob Mitchell laid the ball back to Harry Grigg who beat Josh Dolan from 20 yards.

By the five-minute mark it was level as Michael Dolan’s cross from the right was headed in by Gilbert from six yards.

A mix-up at the back allowed Jonny Lang the simplest of tap-ins midway through the half to restore Holsworthy’s advantage, but Michael Dolan’s brilliant finish from 15 yards levelled the contest shortly before half-time.

After the break it was mainly one-way traffic as Holsworthy keeper Jenson Goatcher was forced into a series of fine saves.

However, he was powerless to stop Gilbert’s penalty early in the second half and when his old club mate settled the contest just after the hour by poking a shot inside the near post after being played through by Jack Savage.

To Holsworthy’s credit they continued to plug away and with 10 to go set up a thrilling finale as Austin Lewis’ free-kick struck the crossbar, only for Grigg to smash in the rebound from 12 yards.

However, Morwenstow cleverly ran down the clock to go into Saturday’s clash with fellow strugglers Woolsery in a much better position.

Elsewhere across the three divisions, Both Bradworthy and Shebbear United ended up having the day off in the Senior Division, while the one game involving a Post area club in Intermediate One saw Holsworthy Thirds lose 2-0 at Kingsley Wizards.