AFC Totton 6 Bishops Cleeve 0.

CRAIG Feeney typified the growing mood of confidence in the AFC Totton camp by netting a hat-trick in yesterday's 6-0 dismantling of Bishops Cleeve.

The Stags showcased their talent in front of a bumper 588 free-entry crowd as they climbed to the dizzy heights of second in the Evo-Stik South West, fuelled by a run of eight league games without defeat.

Watched by scouts from Stoke City and Sheffield United on a raw December afternoon, Louis Langdown’s blossoming young team proved way too hot for the bottom-of-the-table Bishops.

And, with a trip to 21st-placed Barnstaple to come next Saturday, there is every chance Totton will remain top of the local pecking order heading into festive derbies against Salisbury (home, Boxing Day, 1pm) and Winchester City (away, New Year’s Day, 3pm).

This time last year 25-year-old Feeney was well on his way to amassing a 33-goal haul for Winchester.

Now, after a relatively quiet start to his latest spell in Totton blue, the nippy No9 is back to his sharpshooting best.

Feeney opened Saturday’s account in impressive fashion, meeting Connor York’s 15th-minute cross with a spectacular turn and volley after strike partner Tony Lee had narrowly failed to connect with an overhead kick.

Three minutes later, the Stags were 2-0 up - Feeney this time turning provider for Curtis Young to slot over the line.

Cleeve ’keeper Sam Gilder temporarily held back the Totton tide with a sharp save from Feeney, but the Fawley-based forward soon struck again after Young had impudently brushed aside defender Harrison Iddles.

It was the first of three assists by the classy former AFC Bournemouth winger who, on 44 minutes, found Feeney with a ball over the top which the striker duly rifled into the roof of the net for 4-0.

Having denied Feeney with his legs, Gilder had that sinking feeling yet again on 56 minutes, beaten by Alfy Whittingham’s angled drive after yet more Young magic on the right.

Cleeve belatedly got going at that point with Jack Watts’s blast brilliantly turned away by Stags keeper Shane Murphy, ensuring Totton still boast the division’s most Scrooge-like defence with just 18 goals conceded.

Poole Town loanee Lee then accepted a Christmas gift from hapless Cleeve sub Michael Brown to make it 6-0 on 83 minutes.

But Lee’s afternoon ended painfully when he was stretchered off with deep stud marks on his ankle after being caught by Brown in stoppage time.

Totton have since tweeted: "Tony Lee safely dropped home with his moon boot and crutches!! Fracture clinic on Friday for final diagnosis but hopefully just severe bruising and sprained ankle. Amazing NHS as always and no major delays."

Reflecting on an otherwise sparkling afternoon, man-of-the-match Feeney said: “It’s my first hat-trick since I’ve been back at Totton.

"I'd like to get close to what I got for Winchester last year, but as long as I'm chipping in with goals, I'm happy.

"We're a young side, we're good at keeping the ball, we're very disciplined and we don't concede a lot.

"It makes it easier for us (the strikers), knowing we can rely on them to keep it tight at the back.

“We’re second now and, if we’re still sat up there at Christmas, there’s no reason we shouldn’t go for the play-offs.

"Having such a good defensive record, we should be looking to get into those positions."

AFC TOTTON: Shane Murphy, Connor York, Ian Oliver, Jack Masterton (Toby Adekunle, 53), Jack Smith (Dave Allen, 63), Callum Chugg, Curtis Young, Alfy Whittingham, Craig Feeney (Nathaniel Sherborne, 74), Tony Lee, Charlie Gunson. Subs (not used) Jack Barker, Stuart Mott.