Jack Payne: Colchester midfielder says hat-trick 'means the world'

Colchester United midfielder Jack Payne says scoring the first hat-trick of his 13-year career "means the world".

The 30-year-old had netted twice in the same game on several occasions, but completed a treble in first-half added time in Saturday's 6-2 home victory over Chesterfield.

Payne made his English Football League debut for Colchester's Essex rivals Southend United in 2013 and has also had spells at Lincoln City and Swindon Town.

"I've scored two in the first half before and all you're thinking about at half-time is 'I want to get the hat-trick'. So to get it just before the end of the half was nice. I had my family here as well so it was a real special day," he told BBC Essex.

"It's a massive difference coming in (at half-time) at 3-1 or 4-1, so at that point I wasn't thinking about the hat-trick, I was thinking about what the goal means for the game. You've just got to stay concentrated and trust what you're doing."

It was the first time Colchester had scored six times in a league game since August 2018 and there could also have been a treble for Harry Anderson, but he had to settle for two goals - including a 96th-minute effort to cap a superb team effort.

"He was close to getting a hat-trick (as well). I'm really pleased for him for his two goals but some of the work he did defensively was unbelievable," said Payne.

"So many times they were going forwards and he won it back for us. I've played with him at other clubs as well and I think that's the best performance I've ever seen him do."

Despite the win, Colchester are only 19th in League Two and Payne said the challenge now was to maintain that level of performance.

"First career hat-trick, it's taken a while. I've been close a couple of times, but to (finally) get it means the world to me," he added.

"We've played well in a few games at home but not quite been clinical (enough) but to do it against Chesterfield, who are one of the best sides in the league, it was surprising.

"The important thing now is to back it up and start getting up the table because we're well short of where we want to be at this point."

The U's are next in action away to Grimsby Town on Saturday.

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