By Brian Davis

Whyteleafe legend Paul Scott has returned to Church Road and was immediately among the goals bagging a hat trick in a 3-1 over Holmesdale.

The points represent Leafe's first win in the Premier Division of the Kent League, but they were made to toil by a side still looking for their first point of the season.

But Scott, who has played for more than 10 sides since starting out at Whyteleafe and returned to Church Road for the seventh time, was delighted.


The 33-year-old said: “I’ve always played my best football at Whyteleafe. The place loves me. I’ve not had a pre-season but the adrenalin got me through.

"I would like to stay. I am a lot more mature and unlikely to get my head turned anymore. I like it here, I have done ever since I came here all those years go.”

He added: "The faces may change but Church Road never does. It's a great place to play your football."

Holmesdale had the best of the early exchanges with Paul Smith tipping a fine curling shot from Solimman Karshe around the post, then saving a well struck free kick from Kristian Campbell.

Leafe's first chance came after six minutes when Ryan Maxwell curled a free kick just wide after Scott was brought down. Jay Garrick then put the ball wide, stretching to reach a cross from Scott.

Scott broke the deadlock in the 38th minute when he headed Jehmal Heyward's cross past Darren Ibrahim.
 

The former Dulwich Hamley struck again before the break with another header, this time off Lou Clark's floated free kick.


Leafe seemed to lose their way somewhat in the second half and the visitors had the best of the play, pulling one back in the 57th minute through Nathan Taylor.

Taylor should have equalised in the 63rd minute when clear but his shot was too close to Smith who made the save.


Scott was unlucky not to complete his hat-trick in the 66th minute when another header hit the post and bounced across goal into the hands of the grateful Ibrahim.

But the moment came for the returning hero in stoppage time when he beat three defenders before curling a left foot shot past Ibrahim.