PAUL Mullin is not getting carried away despite starting his Swindon Town career with a bang on Saturday.

The summer signing from Morecambe marked his first appearance for his new club with a second-half hat-trick in the 7-1 win away at Swindon Supermarine in Town’s opening pre-season friendly of the summer.

The 22-year-old former Everton and Liverpool youth player looked lively immediately upon his introduction at the break, with his performance capped by a delightful overhead scissor kick for the first of his treble.

Although delighted to make such a strong first impression for Town, Mullin is well aware that he can only really be judged once the competitive action gets under way on the opening day of the new League Two season on August 5.

“In the first game for a new club, you always want to impress and do as well as you can,” said Mullin, post-match at the Webbswood Stadium.

“To get three goals in my first game is a great start but obviously you have to take into account the opposition.

“I just need to keep getting ready for the first game of the season and if I can do that in the league, I will be thrilled.

“Games like this are great games. You are obviously only going to play 45 minutes in the first game back but it’s just great to get back out there. We all haven’t had a game for three months and when football is your life, it feels more like a year.

“It’s about more than just fitness, it’s about winning the match as this year we want to win as many games as we can and it all started today.”

Town continue their pre-season programme on Tuesday night when they travel to Wiltshire Western League team Melksham Town.