Sam Smith delighted to hit first career hat-trick in Cambridge United victory over Burton Albion
Sam Smith will never forget the feeling of a first career hat-trick to help Cambridge United to a 4-3 win over Burton Albion in Sky Bet League One.
It was a thrilling match at the Abbey Stadium, which started with the visitors taking the lead after just 11 seconds.
Smith pegged them back with a header after Burton had Jonny Smith dismissed in the 11th minute. However, Burton were to go ahead twice more, and each time it was Smith that pegged them back to make it 3-3.
It was then Liam O’Neil that hit the match winner in the 79th minute for the U’s.
“To come back three times and win the game shows the team spirit of the lads,” said Smith.
“I think actually we didn’t get too disappointed when the goals went in and we knew if we carried on doing what we were doing then we would create chances and we took them.
“We knew we had the extra man, we’re at home and that if we carried on moving the ball and attacking the space then we would get the chances.”
Smith, 24, has scored two goals in a game on multiple occasions, but has never taken that one step further to complete a hat-trick.
It came in style as well.
Substitute O’Neil sent a terrific ball over the defence which Smith swivelled on a sixpence to meet and volley home.
“It’s always nice to score, especially when it is three,” he said. “I’ve never felt that before, and I don’t think I’ll ever forget it.
“I think the third goal, the volley, was something that I work on a lot in training. I scored one against Cheltenham in the last game of last season, a pretty similar goal, and I think the lads knew that when they get on the turn on the edge of the box, I’m making the runs.
“Liam O’Neil came on and got a goal and an assist, all the subs came on and were excellent which just goes to show the team spirit and the squad we’ve got.
“It’s no secret that we’ve got a small budget, but when you’ve got good people, good staff, good manager and you all fight for each other there is no reason why we can’t kick on as a club.”
He added: “It’s difficult for teams to come here and take three points off us so it’s another win and hopefully we can continue to back that up in midweek [against Arsenal under-21s in the Papa John's Trophy] and against Lincoln as well.”
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