Alex Teniola’s first-half hat-trick helped set up a five-star show that fired Heybridge Swifts back into the top three in the BetVictor Isthmian League division north table.

Karl Duguid’s side moved up three places to third in the table thanks to a 5-1 victory against rock-bottom Romford at the Aspen Waite Arena.

It was a win that saw its foundations laid in a dominant first-half when Teniola scored on 12, 31 and 33 minutes, alongside a 19th minute strike by Evans Kouassi, as Swifts led 4-0 at the break.

They stretched further ahead in the 72nd minute when Odei Martin-Sorondo made it 5-0 and although Romford’s Warren Kayenbe denied the hosts a clean sheet with a late consolation goal, it was still a profitable day.

There was also a late goal for Coggeshall Town as they rescued a point from a home game against Tilbury.

Brian Moses had netted on the half-hour mark to put the Dockers ahead and it looked as though that would earn them the points, but an own goal in time added on at the end of the game made sure it finished level at 1-1.

However, there were no comeback heroics for Witham Town as they were beaten 2-1 at home by Cambridge City.

An 18th minute striker from Mikey Davis put the visitors ahead and they doubled their lead at the break as Jarid Robson scored in the 45th minute.

Conceding late was a blow for Witham and while they gave themselves hope as Marcus Bowers halved the deficit on 58 minutes, they were unable to find a second to draw level.