Sam blasts hat-trick for Wrexham

LONDON: A hat-trick by Trinidad and Tobago international Hector Sam gave Wrexham a sensational start to the English League One football season as the club chalked up their second win in as many matches, with a 3-2 dismissal of Oldham Athletic yesterday. The 26-year-old Sam, who signed with Wrexham three years ago, was on the score sheet after just two minutes when he scored from 18 yards after an accurate cross from Alex Smith. He found the mark again in the 23rd minute when he arrived at the near post to find the end of a Darren Fergusson free kick.

Sam then sealed the hat- trick in the 62nd minute when he collected the ball down the left and burst into the box, before unleashing a drive from the centre of the penalty area from six yards out. The match also marked the occasion of the first goal by St Vincent and Grenadines international Rodney Jack for Oldham Athletic. The 31-year-old Jack, who completed a move to Oldham late last month following his departure from Rushden and Diamonds, nodded in a 79th minute header. With Oldham trailing Wrexham 1-3, the pacy Jack placed himself at the end of a David Eyres cross from the left wing, and expertly found the back of the nets from six yards out. Even though the goal gave Oldham hope of a recovery, Wrexham hung for the win. Oldham also boasts the services of Jamaican international Jermaine Johnson, but it was the second time he and Jack had to endure defeat in the new season, after their club lost 2-1 to Luton in the season opener over the weekend.

Jack was substituted in the 81st minute in that match while Johnson played the full 90 minutes. Both players, who are in their first full seasons at Boundary Park, have made the starting 11 in both matches, but have been unable to prevent Oldham’s horrid start to the season. Jack was sought by Oldham manager Brian Talbot after the striker’s one-year deal at the cash-strapped Rushden and Diamonds came to an end last season, while Johnson signed a one-year deal following a loan stint at Oldham from Premiership side Bolton Wanderers.

In other matches: Jamaica’s Darren Byfield scored the opening goal in the fourth minute of Gillingham’s 2-1 victory over Leeds in the English Championship League, where Grenadian Jason Roberts also found the nets for Wigan in their 2-0 win over Milwall. Jamaica’s Deon Burton scored the third of Brentford’s goals in the 54th minute in their 4-3 win over Doncaster in the English League One.