Saturday, November 22, 2003

AFTER seemingly weeks of purgatory it was time to smile again at St George's Lane on Saturday courtesy of forgotten hero Mark Owen.

Delving into the rich repertoire that the striker habitually displayed until his cruel injury two years ago, Owen conjured up the perfect predator's hat-trick.

Goals from his head, left foot and a sensational right-footed curler (a definite collector's item) completed a memorable afternoon for both the resurgent Owen and a City side that of late has struggled to stump up match winning performances.

For Owen, on his first start since September 13, it was a tantalising reminder of powers he once mustered at will before that fateful FA Cup trip to St Blazey back in October 2001.

The legacy of the horrific leg and ankle break may have since clouded his horizons but self-confidence is not something Owen suffers from and his faith in himself was repaid in spadefuls against a dogged but limited Weston side.

And the ebullient Owen required every ounce of character following a woeful first half penalty miss that let the Seagulls off the hook and sparked thoughts of the 'here we go again' variety.

He made amends however - and in some style - with strikes in the 62nd, 74th and 80th minutes.

In all the scenarios presenting themselves ahead of this vital clash with Weston, Owen smashing a hat-trick probably only occurred to those with the wildest flights of fancy.

For the truth is that in recent months the forward has been a peripheral figure when it comes to Saturday afternoons.

Despite a superhuman effort to get fit over the summer, plus some promising pre-season performances to earn a starting berth alongside Leon Kelly for the new campaign, Owen failed to deliver the goods with just one goal in nine matches.

Dropped in favour of Adam Webster, Owen was left to cut a forlorn figure on the sidelines, dashing up and down on the wrong side of the touchlines, hoping and praying for a further opportunity.

On Saturday it arrived and a torrent of pent up frustration was unleashed in the best possible fashion. Now Owen must prove to manager John Barton he's capable of producing such finishing on a regular basis.

Saturday though was not just about Owen - far from it.

If Owen rightly grabs the headlines, plaudits must also go to the rest of the team.

Flu victim Leon Kelly, fresh off his sickbed, Pat Lyons in central midfield, Darren Middleton down the left and full backs Allan Davies and Paul Carty all contributed to making this a most convincing of victories.

Lyons, released from the shackles of right side midfield, flourished, laying down a marker for a permanent slot in the middle.

His razor-sharp passing was neat, compact and knitted play together sufficiently to bring other elements into the game - notably Davies and Carty who broke forward at every opportunity and the adventure of Middleton.

Weston were simply out-manoeuvred and this was reflected in some of the better opportunities City have had of late but a combination of hesitant shooting and fine keeping from Stuart Jones kept the home team at bay.

The breakthrough was engineered by Middleton, again in sparkling form down the left, who fired over a superb cross that a diving Owen headed in at the back post.

Another Middleton raid down the left led led to the second when he picked out an unmarked Webster who teed up Owen to side foot home from close range.

In the 78th minute Owen looked to have spurned a hat-trick opportunity when clean through but two minutes later sealed it with an astute finish, bending a right-foot shot just inside the post - job done.

Free's 'Alright Now' and a standing ovation greeted the final whistle but after recent false dawns, notably the 7-0 demolotion of Bath, Barton will be taking nothing for granted until they start winning on a regular basis.