Whitehawk may not be Southend United, but Jamie Cureton's hat-tricks against both will count as equals among the 350 goals that the former Colchester United striker has now notched in a career that spans more than quarter of a century.

Now aged 43 and working as player/manager at Bishop's Stortford in the Bostik League premier division, Cureton hit a treble against the Hawks last weekend to lift his career tally past the 350 mark.

Quite an achievement for any player at any level and it will have rekindled thoughts for Colchester United fans of a glorious spring day in a glorious season back in 2007.

In surely the U's greatest ever single season, their Championship trip to Southend United was the cherry on the cake.

It was Good Friday - April 6, 2007 - and Roots Hall was predictably packed for the Essex derby.

The Shrimpers were looking to avenge a 3-0 defeat at Layer Road in November, when Cureton had scored in the 85th minute - adding another goal to a tally that would eventually reach 350 - but it didn't work out well for the side from the south.

It was a beautiful sunny day as the game kicked off at lunchtime, but dark clouds had started to gather for the home fans within seconds of the first whistle.

Cureton's goal-scoring instincts kicked in and he gave the U's the lead in the first minute.

It was an advantage that never really looked in danger and Cureton made sure it was a truly memorable day when goals in the 63rd and 79th minutes not only ensured he'd be going home with the match ball, but that every one of the Colchester fans went home with smiles on their faces.

It was Cureton's second hat-trick of the season - following another in a 4-3 win against Derby in August - and was part of a tally of 24 that helped propel Colchester to a top-ten finish in the second tier of English football.

That remains their highest-ever finish and, for U's fans, it's always good to have memories stirred of those halcyon days.

So thanks to Jamie for another hat-trick that has allowed U's fans to transport themselves back to the warm sunshine of that spring day in 2007.

The level of Cureton's latest scoring spree may be a way below the Championship - five divisions to be precise - but its significance will be no less for the man himself.

He's a goal scorer through and through and, with 12 currently to his name, the veteran striker leads the Bostik League premier division scoring charts.

It appears he is as hungry for goals as he's ever been.

I'm sure he'll have taken every bit as much pleasure from his latest achievement now as he did back at Roots Hall 11 and a half years ago and it's never a bad thing to be reminded of a glorious day in Colchester United's history - unless you're a Southend supporter.