JONATHAN Coole punctured KS Miltax’s hopes of victory on Saturday as he scored a hat-trick in Shield & Dagger’s 4-2 win.

Coole, who stepped up from midfield to deal with Shield’s lack of striking options, got the hosts going in the game with two first-half strikes before Jake Johnson was unable to extend the advantage from the penalty spot.

KS Miltax were able to haul themselves back level after the break but Jake Evans restored the hosts’ lead before Coole rounded the keeper to seal the win.

“It started off a fair game and managed two quick goals,” said manager Chris Esjmont.

“They came back quite strong in the second half with two long-range efforts that were very wind assisted to bring the game back level.

“In the last 15 minutes we were able to get back on top and complete the win.

“Johnny usually plays centre midfield but Saturday we were quite short on strikers and he had to adapt his game up front and did well.

“Saturday wasn’t the best we have played. It was a bit of an ugly win but, in these weather conditions, it is wins you need to grind out.”

Dagger, who were forced to wait until October before their league campaign got under way, have now won four of their opening five games in the Premier Division and Esjmont is happy with his side’s progress.

“I’m pleased with our start to the season,” he added.

“It would have helped to have played a few more games, to keep the fitness levels higher but we have kept a good morale and dealt with it well.

“It was a shame about the loss against Old Town United but we are right in the mix.”

Meanwhile, Bassett Bulldogs scored a perfect 10 in Division One as they romped to victory against R&D United without reply.

Craig Hunt got four of Bassett’s 10-goal haul, to add to a hat-trick from Jason Hudson and further strikes from Ricardo Serratore, Colin Cochrane and Saul Charalambos.

Spitfires remain sitting pretty at the top after a 3-0 success away to Ramsbury, courtesy of a brace from Mike Cox and a Joshua Archer strike, while North Swindon were 1-0 winners against Core Construction thanks to a Daniel Knight goal.

Chiseldon came from three goals down to earn a 4-4 draw away to Morris Street, while Swindon Centurians and Sports 4 Pinehurst played out a 3-3 tie.