ALRESFORD Town co-boss Jeremy Stagg had high hopes for Jack Hoey when he signed him in the summer.

And the 19-year-old former Christchurch and New Milton forward is repaying that faith, striking twice in Saturday’s 2-0 home win over Horndean to take his season’s goal tally to seven.

Goalkeeper Gary Morrison made his Magpies’ debut in place of the suspended Jarid Hixon, while Jamie Bentley returned from holiday to slot into the middle of defence.

Alresford went ahead on 11 minutes with Harry Little tenaciously winning the ball in midfield and setting up Hoey to beat keeper Derek Harding at his near post.

The Deans went close to levelling when Dan Hayes headed goalwards from a corner. The ball – and Morrison – appeared to strike the base of the post before the danger was cleared.

Alresford’s second goal arrived on 74 minutes when Liam Magee neatly laid the ball off to man-of-the-moment Hoey. The youngster controlled it with his first touch and stabbed it past Harding with his second to seal Magpies’ second Sydenhams Premier win of the season.

Alresford travel to Fawley AFC tomorrow.