NEW signing Keiron Baker reflected on his dream debut after scoring a hat-trick for FC Clacton.

The striker only joined on loan from Tendring neighbours Brightlingsea Regent on Friday.

The following day, he signalled his arrival with an excellent treble as the Seasiders stormed back from 1-0 and 2-1 down to beat Fakenham Town 4-2.

Kevin Coyle was also on target, from the spot, in the Thurlow Nunn League premier division contest at the Rush Green Bowl.

“I couldn’t have asked for anything more than a hat-trick on my debut and really enjoyed it,” said Baker, who recently played against Clacton during another loan spell at Wivenhoe Town.

“Everyone worked hard and worked for each other.

“The first half wasn’t amazing but we had a good team-talk at the break and everyone came out fighting after that.

“You could clearly see that on the pitch and it was a big improvement.

“We showed so much character and what we’re capable of.”

Baker believes he still has room for improvement, in terms of fitness.

But he hopes to make as big an impact as possible during his time with the club.

“It’s a month for now and then we’ll see where we go from there,” he said.

“We’ll play it by ear but I certainly hope to do as well as I possibly can in my time with the club, to help them stay up.

“(Manager) Kieron (Shelley) has shown faith in me and brought me over to score goals, which I was pleased to do on Saturday.

“I know I need to get fitter. I don’t feel fit and need to put the graft in.

“But there’s a great vibe around the club and I’m looking forward to the next few weeks.”

In addition to the goals, Shelley was also impressed with Baker’s spirit and attitude - and believes that is largely due to his grounding at Ryman League side Brightlingsea.

“Keiron’s work-rate both on and off the ball was superb,” he said.

“I loved him when I saw him at Wivenhoe.

“I thought he was the best player on the park.

“He caused us all sorts of trouble that day and his work-rate was second to none.

“Naturally, he wants to be up top but he knows he’s a big lad and he can help out all over the pitch.

“He doesn’t moan and gets on with it.

“He encourages and is enthusiastic and that’s what happens when you come from a club like Brightlingsea.

“They’ve done everything right for the last five or six years and locally, they’re the club you look at and think ‘that’s what we want to be like’.

“They’re a template for us all, both on and off the pitch, and fair play to them.

“Keiron’s spirit reflected that.

“Not once was he defeated and even when we were behind, he knew we were still in the game.”