Maltese club Kirkop United cruised to an 8 - 1 win over Ta’ Xbiex SC in the Third Division on Sunday, with unheralded Nigerian attacker Ayodeji Jotham Adeniran notching up a hat - trick.

Remarkably, the three goals netted by Adeniran were scored in a space of eight minutes, between the 67th and 75th minute.

And that was after joining the fray in the second half, as replacement for Vladimir Klikic, who bagged a brace before he left the pitch.

After the opening round in the division, Kirkop United top the table ahead of Qrendi, Mtarfa, Santa Lucia, Luqa SA and Marsaskala due to their superior goal difference.

They next face Mgarr United at the Sirens Stadium on Saturday, September 20, starting from 1600 hours local time.