Josh Kerridge scored a hat-trick as Felixstowe & Walton strengthened their grip on second place in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division on Tuesday night, with a thumping 6-0 home win over third-placed Gorleston.

The visitors, without several first-team players, could have jumped above the Seasiders into second place – in what was their game in hand – but were swept aside by the classy home side who were tenacious in the tackle and clinical in front of goal.

Danny Smy got the ball rolling after just 15 seconds, the experienced forward picking the ball up on the right flank and lofting an inch-perfect into the top, far right-hand corner, from 25 yards, leaving goalkeeper Taurean Molley grasping at thin air.

The visitors were shellshocked and struggled to get into the game, allowing the hosts to control the play, without ever building up a head of steam.

The Seasiders did double their lead in the 18th minute though, midfielder Kerridge arriving late into the box to fire across the goalkeeper, converting the impressive Ethan Clarke’s cut-back from the left byline.

Felixstowe did not have long to wait for their third goal, Craig Jennings ghosting in at the back post to head home Stuart Ainsley’s corner, after Jordan Matthews’ long-range effort had been deflected wide.

Gorleston were depleted, but that was no excuse for some of their defending and after Clarke went close, Kerridge grabbed his second of the evening just before the break, heading home with the minimum of fuss inside the box, from Callum Bennett’s corner.

That was not the end of the action in the first half and Bennett added his name to the scoresheet just before the half-time whistle.

After Gorleston failed to clear their lines, the full-back fired home a left-foot shot from inside the box, the ball going across the goalkeeper into the far corner.

Five-up at the break, the hosts could not have been blamed for taking their foot off the gas in the second period, but Kerridge was keen to secure the match ball and it duly came.

Bennett swung in a wicked ball from the right and after Kerridge, a defender and the goalkeeper collided, the ball ran loose and the midfielder nodded the ball just over the line.