by DYLAN INGLIS
OLD STAGER Kris Jarvie hit top form again to bag his second hat-trick in a week.
But Paul Davies reckons he’s lifting the young players around him too.
Jarvie, 41, gave Newmains a seventh minute lead before two goals in five second half minutes completed his treble.
His strikes came seven days after the three scored in the 4-3 loss to Bellshill.
But this time Jarvie was on the winning side as Royal Albert were swept aside in devastating fashion as Newmains made it two wins from three in the Breathing Space Cup.
Co-boss Davies saluted the display from the striker who signed from Lesmahagow last year – and insists his will to win is rubbing off on the rest of the squad.
He said: “That’s now six goals in two games for Jarvie at 41-years-old.
“He’s just been a fantastic signing - even at 41 he’s still demanding standards which brings the best out of the other boys.
“He really helps to bring the younger players on as well.
“He’s just a great guy to have around the club.”
Jarvie’s opener was the only goal of the game at the break.
But it was a second-half rout for United, with Lee Nichol, Connor Cowan and Kris Todd also getting in on the goalscoring action.
The visitors had been brilliantly kept out by goalkeeper Cammy Farquhar in the first-half but a dominating display after the break took Newmains well out of sight.
Jarvie pounced on a loose ball in the box to hit the first before Farquhar was called into action.
United doubled their lead when Nichol’s corner went straight in then Todd grabbed No3.
After Jarvie made it 4-0 he completed his trio with another instinctive finish with 15 to play before Cowan rounded off the scoring on 83 minutes.
Newmains are making a healthy habit of getting themselves goals just after half-time – with similar quickfire doubles in previous outings against Bellshill and Carluke Rovers.
Davies added: “At half-time we had a couple of words about what we had to do.
“We told the boys we had to go out and get another goal. One straight away kills the game.
“The second half was just a great performance all round and the boys were first class.
“Everyone got on the park as well which is what these games are all about.
“Guys who maybe haven’t had a lot of game time got on which was fantastic.”
Newmains next face Lesmahagow at Dalziel Park this Saturday. Kick-off is 2pm and entry is a donation at the gate.
