LEE Chudy’s hat-trick put Hamworthy United on course to equal their highest Wessex League finish – and their best under current boss Simon Browne.

Chudy’s exploits helped the Hammers maintain a slender one-point lead in sixth place and also guaranteed them at least a spot in the top nine.

Browne piloted Hammers to ninth last season and 16th in 2010 – with the County Ground outfit’s highest finish being sixth place in 2006.

“I am so proud of what the players have done,” said Browne.

“We achieved our aim of safety in my first season and saw out last season with a few indifferent results when we lost six of our final eight games.

“We have been in great form recently and the win over Alton was our eighth in 10 games. If we could beat Brading in our final match, it would be a fantastic finish.

“If we had been more consistent, we would be looking at a much higher finish. League winners are consistent and we haven’t been so I will have no complaints with where we end up.

“The players have knuckled down and put in a good finish to the season.

“It was another good win against Alton, even if the scoreline was perhaps a little flattering. We thoroughly deserved to win.”

Alton, fresh from their midweek win over champions Winchester City, cancelled out Greg Horlock’s early opener when Ryan Ayling levelled for the Brewers.

However, Chudy fired home to restore Hammers’ lead before the interval and put the finishing touches to victory by adding a finely-taken second-half double.

Hammers: Murphy, Wyatt, White, Horlock, Lockyer (Staines, 85), Whitcher (Haysom, 60), Robinson (Stacey, 70), Lanahan, Corby, Chudy, Burbidge. Unused subs: Yelland, Pidgley.