Sholing boss Dave Diaper admits Lee Wort is just doing “what he does best” after the striker scored two hat-tricks in the space of a few days. Wort, the top scorer in the Southern League South and West Division One last season with 35 goals, looks in great shape to continue his fine form in the Wessex Premier League which kicks off this weekend, writes PETER HOWARD.

Wort bagged a hat-trick against Cowes Sports in a 5-2 victory last Saturday before smashing another trio against AFC Totton on Tuesday as the Boatmen won another friendly 3-2.

Sholing are hot favourites for the league title.

Not surprisingly, as in addition to Wort they have also signed Ashley Jarvis, who plundered 22 goals in 38 Wessex League appearances for GE Hamble (now Follands Sports) last term.

Tonight, Diaper’s side take on lower division club United Service Portsmouth in the Sydenhams Wessex League Cup before they open their league campaign against Romsey Town next Tuesday at the Silverlake Arena.

Romsey finished rock bottom of the Sydenhams Premier, but were saved from the drop after New Milton were deducted points and Hayling Island were relegated for ground grading reasons. The Boatmen, on the other hand, voluntarily relegated themselves to concentrate funds on stadium developments.

They have not lost anyone from the squad which finished seventh in the South & West.

“I’m looking forward to Friday,” Diaper said. “Everybody has got a different stage of fitness level in the squad.

“The AFC Totton game was centre back Lee Bright’s first game back, so it’s just a matter of getting everyone’s fitness up together before we kick off.

“There’s three or four who still haven’t got the same fitness level as others.”

Diaper added: “We’re scoring goals for fun and, if you can score goals, like we’re doing at the moment, then you’re obviously going to cause problems for other teams at any level.

“Lee Wort is doing what he does best and that’s score goals. He’s scored six goals in one and a half games really.”

“We don’t like teams getting back at us, though.

“I don’t like conceding goals, so that is important too.”

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