Former Hibs striker Jamie Maclaren bags hat-trick as Melbourne City win six-goal thriller

The Australia international bagged his second treble of the season

Jamie Maclaren celebrates a goal with Melbourne City team-mate and former Cardiff City ace Craig Noone

Jamie Maclaren scored a hat-trick as Melbourne City recorded a 4-2 win over Central Coast Mariners in New South Wales.

The A-League is one of the few competitions still proceeding amid the global coronavirus pandemic, albeit matches are being played behind closed doors.

There was no shortage of excitement despite the lack of atmosphere as three goals were struck in the opening ten minutes.

Jordan Murray opened the scoring for the hosts after just two minutes, before Maclaren equalised three minutes later and former Athletic Bilbao winger Markel Susaeta handed Melbourne the lead with just ten minutes on the clock.

Maclaren doubled his personal tally just after the interval to put the visitor two goals up but Murray scored his second of the game to hand the Mariners a lifeline with 20 minutes to play.

But the former Easter Road striker, who netted a treble in the 5-5 draw with Rangers on the last day of the 2017/18 season, completed his hat-trick on 74 minutes to secure a 4-2 win for Melbourne on the road.

There were plenty of Scottish links in the game as former Hamilton Accies defender Ziggy Gordon lined up for the home side while goalkeeper Tom Glover, who spent a period of time on trial with Hibs in January 2019, was between the sticks for Melbourne City. Curtis Good, a former Dundee United loanee, lined up at centre-half for the victors.

Maclaren’s haul takes him to 18 goals for the season in the race for the league’s Golden Boot award. He scored a hat-trick earlier this season in a 4-3 defeat at former club Brisbane Roar.