George Clarke made a stunning return to old club Brantham with four second half goals to steer Felixstowe into the next round of the Premier Cup with a 6-2 victory.

Manager Stuart Boardley used the game to reintroduce Clarke after he had been out with a toe injury for six months and was rewarded with an outstanding goal return.

The Seasiders were already 2-1 up after a tight first half with the visitors going two up after an own goal and a clearly offside second from Armani Schaar which the officials missed.

Johnny Lee netted in each half for the Imps but Felixstowe were a different level and there was no doubting the second half whirlwind performance though as the Isthmian League side blew away their Thurlow Nunn opponents, who have had very good start to the season, unbeaten in the league and reaching the second qualifying round of the FA Cup.

The relief and joy was understandable by the substitute with his first two top finishes by Clarke, before an unusual error by Athletic keeper Andrew Plummer allowed him a 15 minute hat trick, although there was hint of hand ball.

A bread and butter individual fourth, meant the sixth for the team, was greeted with a respectfully muted celebration on a joyful return to former club Brantham.

Clarke told Nub News: "To come back here in score four goals, well you can't ask much more than that. I was just looking to get through the game after being out so long.

"Once that first goal went in it gave me confidence to keep going and it was a massive boost of confidence, especially going into Saturday against Maldon away."

Former team-mate Lee paid tribute to Clarke and said: "It was good for me to get my goals, but it was not enough to win this one. They were just a level above and George came on and finished us off."