Hat-trick hero McCauley promises to add even more goals to his game

His treble against Portadown was his first senior hat-trick, and the former Institute man wants to follow it up with more goals.

“It’s something I need to produce more on the pitch,” he told Times Sport after the game.

“At the start of the season I had a chat with Oran and we both agreed I needed to add a few more goals to my game.

“My general play is okay, but I want to add goals and assists to it.”

It certainly was a hat-trick to remember as the wide man produced three quality finishes.

“My self and ‘Parky’ have a good understanding, I can tell what runs he’s going to make, he linked up well with Jamie, who produced a great back heel for me to finish,” he said.

“The second was another great run by ‘Parky’ and a great through ball, I just saw the keeper coming out and I thought I would dink him.

“Ruaidhri Higgins just told me to go for my hat-trick then. Neil McCafferty passed me the ball for my third, I just thought go for the net and that’s what I did and it went in.

“I thought I would sell a few dummies and it came off and I got my shot away so I’m delighted.”

The result keeps Coleraine within touching distance at the top of the table.

“The main thing for us today was to get the three points, and I think we’ve put down a real marker for a great team performance,” said McCauley.

“Obviously we don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves. I know it’s an old cliche but it’s about approaching every game as it comes alaong.

“We have good players here who can play good football and I think the experience gained by the young players last year has really helped them this season.

“Team spirit is so high among the players. Everyone fights for each other and we go out on the pitch we work so hard, that has been the basis of our performances. “Our fitness levels are really high and that comes down to the training we are doing.”