Stockport County loanee Richie Bennett 'buzzing' with Hartlepool United hat-trick in 7-2 win at Wealdstone

The 30-year-old striker became the first Pools player to score a hat-trick in the National League and the first player to score three for the club in a league game since Roy O'Donovan in 2010.

Bennett also assisted the second of Rhys Oates’ goals as Pools ran riot at Grosvenor Vale with midfielder’s Nicky Featherstone and Mark Shelton also getting on the scoresheet.

“We’re all buzzing, but we can’t be complacent after a win like that,” Bennett told The Mail.

"We create enough chances to win games like that, it’s just about converting them and we were ruthless in doing that on Saturday. It was coming and was well deserved.”

With Bennett on a hat-trick, Pools won a penalty in the second half which was converted by Featherstone. But the striker would later get and take his chance after winning a penalty for himself with 10-minutes to go despite new signing Danny Elliott wanting in on the action too.

“The first one, Feaths said he was having it and there was no argument there because he’s the penalty taker and he’s been class for Hartlepool,” Bennett added.

“The second one, Dan wanted a debut goal and in any other circumstances I would have stepped aside and let him have it but for my hat-trick, I wanted to take it.

"I did flick my foot out for Shelts’ goal but I can’t take that one off him, it was a great finish and he earned it.”

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