Hemel hat-trick hero Parkes is hungry for more

Hemel Town skipper Jordan Parkes celebrates after scoring against Basingstoke. Picture (c) Darren Kelly

Parkes scored a superb hat-trick to help Hemel to victory against Basingstoke on Saturday and he is eager to add to his fine tally of goals.

“I’m feeling pretty good at the moment,” said the Hemel skipper. “After last week’s two goals, I went into Saturday’s game full of confidence with the belief that I was going to score.

“To score a hat-trick was a bonus and it’s probably the best hat-trick I’ve scored.

“The first was a decent strike on my right foot and the second just flew off my left – I thought it was going to go wide.

“I don’t think I will score many more like the third; I’m not going to claim that I meant to score direct from the corner, but I’ll take it!

“I just tried to whip the ball near past for somebody to head it in but it caught the keeper off guard and he couldn’t keep it out.”

Parkes now has 50 career goals for the Tudors and is aiming for the top scorer award in the division.

“I’m very proud to score 50 goals for Hemel. As a midfield player you are judged on creating goals and scoring goals and I feel I’ve done a pretty good job so far.

“Hopefully I can keep the goal scoring habits as I’m only a few goals off the leading goal scorer in the league now and also so that we keep flying up the table towards those play off positions.”

He added: “We picked up another great result on Saturday against a side that are in the top-four in the league and we have now done the double over them this season.

“To win the last four league games on the bounce has been brilliant; we have picked up crucial points against very strong sides and we have got ourselves into a great position and are within touching distance of the play-off positions.

“The game against Baskingstoke was end-to-end, and obviously both teams wanted to win.

“We managed to take our chances and our defenders and goalkeeper were on form to cut out a lot of opportunities for them with Laurie (Walker) making a couple of great saves.”

Parkes is confident that the Tudors can comtinue their impressive run of form, starting with a trip to Bath City tonight.

“The spirit is very good in the squad and everyone has the belief going into games that we are going to win, which is a great mentality to have.

“The momentum is well and truly behind us. We have a tough match away to Bath on tonight but the way we are playing, we will be confident to get another win.

“Then on Saturday our FA Trophy campaign starts with a horrible journey down to Truro. We did well down there last year, beating them 6-0, so hopefully we can do the same. If we can put a good run together in the Trophy, the final is at Wembley which is everyone’s dream!

“The fans have been excellent this season and we are glad that we are giving them results to cheer about. I know a lot of fans have stopped their season tickets in the Premier League and Championship to come and watch us play, which shows we must be entertaining!”