TOM Sands took his goal tally to a sensational NINE in just three days as Otterbourne kept alive their outside Hampshire Premier League title hopes.

Sands followed up his five-goal display in the 11-1 weekend annihilation of Headley by blasting another four in last night’s 7-0 romp at Hedge End Rangers.

The striker has now tallied 50 goals this season and reached his century for Otters. 

That result – which took the Otters’ goal tally to 129 in 31 games – saw them close the gap on leaders Baffins Milton Rovers to four points.

But the lead will be extended to seven if Baffins beat visiting Clanfield tomorrow night. And, if they do, they will clinch a second title in three seasons with another win at Liss this Saturday.

One undisputed fact in the HPL top flight is that Sands will win the league’s golden boot as top scorer.

Monday’s haul took his league tally to 38 – remarkably, 16 more than the next highest, Lenny Burney of Liss.

Four of Sands’ goals against Headley had come in the second half on Saturday.

And last night his first three arrived in the opening 35 minutes.

Scott Munro put Otterbourne ahead after eight minutes and Tom Ashton also scored as the visitors opened up a 5-0 half-time lead.

Ashton made it six in the 64th minute before Sands struck again 11 minutes from time.

The Otters are now favourites to clinch runners-up spot, which will be their highest ever finish in the HPL – last season they were a best-ever third behind champions Hamble Club and Baffins.

The other game in the HPL last night saw Infinity draw 1-1 at Fleetlands.

Scott Hamilton put the hosts into a half-time lead from the penalty spot, with Lewis Bailey levelling ten minutes into the second half.