MANNY Soetan made a spectacular return from injury to help push Andover Town another step towards the Sydenhams Premier Division title.

The former Team Solent, AFC Totton, Bashley and Lymington marksman bounced off the bench to score an incredible six-minute hat-trick in Town’s 4-1 win at second-placed Hamworthy United.

With the scores level 1-1 at halftime on the Hammers’ all-weather surface at The County Ground, Andover would probably have been content to come away with a point on a freezing cold day.

Jason Silver had fired them into a 12th-minute lead following a cheeky back-heel from Mike Gosney, only for Dan Cann to level the scores seven minutes before the break.

Soetan, who has only just regained match fitness after injury, made his grand entrance in the 70th minute as part of a double substitution by manager Glenn Burnett.

Just four minutes later he had his first touch of the ball, collecting and controlling it before launching a superb strike into the back of the Hamworthy net.

The Hammers retaliated with a Billy Walker shot that smacked the crossbar, but this was to be Soetan’s day.

On 78 minutes Silver’s shot was blocked and the ball arrived at the feet of the super sub who made no mistake for 3-1.

Two minutes later he was at it again, sensationally completing a quick-fire hat-trick.

Burnett tweeted: “A very big well done to the boys today beating a very good Hamworthy United side away from home…well done to Immanuel for coming on and netting a hat-trick at a vital time.”

With 34 games played Andover have reached 86 points - 14 more than Hamworthy, who have played three games more than the league leaders.

More importantly, they are 15 clear of third-placed Blackfield & Langley, their chief title rivals, who have four games in hand.

Andover are due to pay a return visit to Dorset tomorrow evening to face Bournemouth Poppies (Tuesday, 7.45pm). They are tantalisingly poised just one league goal short of 100 for the season.

Zach Glasspool is Town’s top league and cup scorer with 31, ahead of Mike Gosney (27), George Hallahan (21), Jason Silver (13) and Reece Rusher (11).

Due to Amesbury Town’s withdrawal from the Salisbury Hospital Cup, Andover will now face Bemerton Heath Harlequins at home in the semi-final on April 24.