MAX Fiddes helped Southend United secure two victories with a unusual hat-trick on Saturday.

The schoolboy scored twice for the under 16s in a 4-2 victory against MK Dons.

But the midfielder was taken off five minutes into the second half before then coming on as a substitute for the under 18s and scoring the only goal of the game, also against MK Dons, to earn praise from youth team boss Danny Heath.

“Max played 50 minutes for the 16s and 20 minutes for the 18s and got three goals,” said Heath.

“It was great to see and he’s someone who has been with us since the under sevens.

“Michael March and myself were talking the other day and we remember going to the likes of Leicester City, Derby County, Birmingham, Nottingham Forest and Wolves with Max when he was under seven and under eight.

“He’s come through the system and he’s played as a midfielder and a striker.

“But he’s very clinical in front of goal.”

However, Fiddes was not given a matchball to keep.

“Unfortunately he didn’t get one but I’ve told him he will start for the 18s on Saturday against Luton,” said Heath.

“If he gets another hat-trick in that game then he can keep that matchball for sure.”

Fiddes replaced Jacob Bland 20 minutes from time against the Dons and soon fired home a well-taken effort.

With 77 minutes on the clock, the youngster controlled a precise pass from Henry Sandat and arrowed his shot into the bottom right-hand corner.

Blues then managed to see out the remainder of the match without alarm to register a first home win since October.

Southend United U18s: Purcell, Crowhurst, Fallows, Burkey, Reeve, Droney, Amir, Garzon, Adedoja, Bland (Fiddes 70), Sandat.

Subs not used: Brown, Clayden, Shenouda & Buers.