The Wolues started the game in their brand new light blue strip full of confidence, but two first half goals from Mitchell midway through the first period turned out to be blows from which the they were unable to recover.

The Islanders had threatened to overrun the Wolues for much of the first 45 minutes despite a well marshaled back line by Marc Savage and some defiant last ditch defending.

Wave after wave of Islanders moves threatened to break the deadlock, but it wasn’t until the 28th minute that Mitchell finally broke the deadlock, ending a slick passing move by flicking the ball with the outside of his boot past the last defender and beating Will De Hoo with a deft touch as he rushed off his line to smother the shot.

That lead was doubled 13 minutes later when Mitchell made an angled-run into the box and calmly dispatched a shot past De Hoo.

Shortly before conceding the second goal, the Wolues could have equalized when on a rare attack James Shearman found himself in acres of space just outside the Islanders’ penalty box, but his shot failed to trouble Monty Butler in goal.

The score remained at just two at the break and it was down to some wasteful shooting and misplaced final passes as the Islanders completed dominated play. With time to regroup and rethink, the Wolues started the second half brightly and with a couple of tactical changes, began to get a foothold in the game. Mark Pritchard came close on two occasions when high balls were floated into the box to test Butler. Matt Moss also came close from a Shearman cross.

The Islanders, though, remained dangerous on the break and after a scrappy passage of play with chances being missed at both ends and tackles becoming more desperate it was Mitchell who popped up to settle the score and give the Islanders all 3 points.

“I’m feeling very happy, unfit and still came out with the hat trick,” he commented. “ I feel very proud of myself and my coach and team mates.”

The third goal was a wonderful exhibition of control and finishing. Mitchell controlled the ball on the run and fired home an unstoppable half volley past De Hoo. The score line was a little unfair on the Wolues keeper who had made several saves to keep his team alive. However, Mitchell was just too hot to handle on the night.

“The last one was my best, I really liked it, very technical,” he said

Coach Avondale Williams was reasonably happy with the night’s work by his team, but also realized there was a long way to go if the Islanders want to retain their title.

“It was a very good competitive game and the Wolues came out to play tonight, a different Wolues and they are growing stronger and stronger. We came out victorious because of our game plan, made chances and put them away. We have work to do and hopefully we can get up to standard by mid- season,” said Coach Williams.

Wolues Captain Martin Cooke, whilst not happy with the loss, saw signs of encouragement for the rest of the season.

“We knew these guys are well organized, but we tried to get men behind the ball and let them do their thing. We knew we had to put them under pressure. In the second half our keeper only made one save and we had our chances. We have options all over the “park” everyone is confidant on the ball and we’re looking good for the season.”