RYAN Scott joked he is targeting the Golden Boot after making a goalscoring return for East Thurrock United.

The 24-year-old, who traditionally plays at centre half, recently returned from Australia and was paired with Sam Higgins up front against National League South rivals Concord Rangers on Tuesday.

Both scored in the 4-1 rout of the Beach Boys which all but guaranteed Rocks’ safety in the division for another season.

And Scott says he was pleased to help the team to a crucial result as he looks to chase down top scorer Higgins.

“I am going for the Golden Boot and must have the best record in the league in terms of goals to games,” said Scott, who spent two years in Sydney before returning at the start of the year. “I was talking to [Rocks manager] Covo [John Coventry] to let him know when I would be coming back from Australia and he told me he would sort my international clearance.

“I never played a game in Australia in the end. I was meant to but I got injured and it never worked out.

“I came back training and I didn’t expect to get games. I played a game at Barking but it is a long way for me to go so I came back to East Thurrock.

“After Saturday’s defeat [to Chippenham Town] Covo asked if I was ready to play and I thought I had 70 minutes in me. Then he called me the afternoon of the game and asked if I wanted to play up front.

“I am very much a centre half but in my first National South game I got my first goal at that level. I have a 100 per cent record up front. Three games, three wins and two goals.

“Maybe they weren’t expecting it as I was wearing number two but I enjoyed it. Now we need to get a few more points and then maybe I can slot in at centre half and get ready for next season.”

And Coventry added he felt a change in formation and personnel was required following a recent run of one win in 11 matches.

“Everyone on the pitch worked hard, there was an intensity there and I took some gambles,” said the East Thurrock manager. “It’s the first time in a long time I have played three at the back and we stuck Scotty up front.

“Now other teams have access to videos of opponents people double up on Higgo [Higgins]. We needed someone else up there to occupy another defender.

“He has played up front before for me and I thought nothing else is working and this did. We scored at good times and it must have been horrible for them. They were 4-0 down and hadn’t had a sniff.

“We have a massive gap between us and Poole Town now and it is an important result for us.”

A fast start to the game brought an early goal. A Reece Harris corner was met by former Beach Boys midfielder Cornhill and although goalkeeper Louis Wells got a strong hand on the ball he couldn’t keep it out.

On 24 minutes another corner was not dealt with and Scott was on hand to find the top corner from five yards.

Concord needed a response but five minutes into the half it appeared to be game over.

After Wells had expertly denied Higgins, the ball was recycled and Smith guided the ball home from eight yards.

Five minutes later Higgins added his name to the scoresheet with a finish high into the net.

The Beach Boys introduced Femi Akinwande with 20 minutes remaining and the striker made an immediate impact. Da Costa won a penalty and Akinwande found the net with ease.

But the damage had been done.