Hampton & Richmond Borough boss Mark Harper hailed striker Dave Tarpey as the comeback kid after his hat-trick heroics on Saturday.

The Beavers front man hit three as the Harper’s men beat Ryman Premier Division Canvey Island 4-2 to ease through to the next round of the FA Trophy.

The result secured Hampton their first back-to-back wins of a troubled season that sees them struggling at the foot of the Blue Square South table.

But Harper is hoping Tarpey’s personal revival can soon fire his men away from relegation trouble.

“Dave wasn’t enjoying himself at the start of the season. He was like a spoilt schoolboy,” he said.

“He spent most of his time sulking rather than scoring goals.

“Recently I’ve given him a free licence to go up front and enjoy himself and he is absolutely flying.

“I’m glad he has turned himself around and is now believing in what we are trying to do.

“He was a constant threat all game and long may that continue.”

Midfielder Nathan Collier notched the other goal as he delivered an assured performance to help set up a home clash with Hayes & Yeading next Saturday.

By a quirk of fate, Hampton entertain the same team in the Middlesex Cup tomorrow and Harper admits success in both competitions could provide the perfect tonice for his side’s league campaign.

“It is a frustration that there are no league games until December 17 because we’d have liked to have built on this momentum in the league,” he added.

“We will be fielding strong teams in both competitions because we need to carry on this winning feeling.

“The Middlesex Cup is a prestigious competition for a club like ours and the FA Trophy can generate some much needed revenue.”

Meanwhile, hot property Dan Thompson continues to try out at cash-strapped Championship side Ports-mouth, while Dean Inman has been forced to put his own trial plans on hold until the new year due to work commitments.

Harper added: “Dan says Portsmouth are interested, but until I hear that from the horses mouth he will remain a Hampton player.”