Jovon Makama nets first professional hat-trick as Lincoln thrash Bristol Rovers

Jovon Makama scored his first professional hat-trick as Lincoln hammered Bristol Rovers 5-0 for the second successive season.

Rovers failed to ease their relegation fears as they were put to the sword in the second half at Sincil Bank, where Tom Bayliss and James Collins were also on the scoresheet.

Visiting goalkeeper Jed Ward produced good early saves to keep out Reeco Hackett-Fairchild and Makama as Lincoln, who were 5-0 victors over the Pirates in this fixture almost exactly a year ago, started on the front foot.

But 21-year-old Makama broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark as he converted from captain Paudie O’Connor’s brilliant ball.

The second-half assault started when Bayliss’ corner flew straight in five minutes after the restart.

And within a blink of an eye former Luton forward Collins made it 3-0 as Makama turned provider for the experienced hitman to curl beyond the reach of Ward.

Makama grabbed his second with 20 minutes to go as he drove into the box and smashed home an unstoppable strike.

The youngster completed a fine treble in the 81st minute when he fired into the bottom corner after Erik Ring’s corner was only partially cleared.