Peterborough Sports hat-trick hero was rewarded for his patience and hard work
Patience and hard work finally paid off for Peterborough Sports striker Shaquile Coulthirst on Saturday.
The 31 year-old former Peterborough United player has only managed three starts, mostly because of injury, since joining Sports earlier this season. He’s also seen action 11 times from the substitutes’ bench, but until yesterday’s visit of Chester to PIMS Park for a National League North match he had yet to score a goal.
Well now he has three goals, a man-of-the-match award and a signed match ball, after a hat-trick delivered a welcome 3-0 win for a team batting to avoid relegation against a former Football League club.
It was a relief for Coulthirst, although his experience helped him come through a lean spell. He started his senior career at Spurs and has also played for Southend United, Barnet and York City among other clubs.
Coulthirst picked up a rare start as fellow forward Mark Jones started a four-game suspension and Ben Beresford is still working his way back from injury.
He scored on 17 minutes after a goalkeeping clanger and then twice more from close range in a nine-minute spell late in the game.
"I knew if I kept getting into the right areas my luck would change,” Coulthirst told Peterborough Community Radio. “I did get lucky with the first goal, but I was in the right place to take advantage. The goal gave me confidence, but I’ve also benefited from the extra running sessions I needed.
"I tried to stay around the penalty area and I’ve been listening to the analysis from coaches and studying videos of the opposition. There was a bit of quality with the other two goals and I’m just pleased we got the win we needed.
"We have a few more experienced players in the squad now and their input is vital. We are in a difficult situation as a team, but it’s important heads don’t drop if we concede a goal or lose a game. That’s where the experienced lads come in because we’ve seen it all before.
"We all know we have the quality in the squad and it’s important we all stick together. We are trying to build consistency of performance and the results will then follow.
"We have a real fight ahead of us and we will only win it if we stick together.”
Graham Westley was the manager who signed Coulthirst for Posh from Spurs in January 2016. He scored an FA Cup goal in a 2-2 draw at West Brom and a header in a 3-0 win over local rivals Northampton Town, but managed just seven goals in 43 appearances (15 as a sub) before he was sent on loan to Mansfield Town after a year at London Road.
He left Posh for Barnet on a free transfer in July, 2017 and promptly scored against Posh in a 3-1 League Cup win at London Road.
Sports have also signed former Posh forward Shaun Jeffers and he made his debut as a substitute against Chester. Jeffers signed for Posh on a free transfer from Coventry City in October 2013, but left for Newport County four months later after 13 games (seven starts) and three goals.
Sports are back in action at home to Macclesfield Town on Tuesday (January 27, 7.45pm kick off).