A LUKE Baldwin hat-trick helped Steeton begin their North West Counties Football League First Division North season in style, defeating Cleator Moor Celtic 6-1 at Marley Stadium.

The hosts opened the scoring ten minutes in from a corner. Omar Anjum was on hand to get the final touch and squeeze the ball inside the far post.

Anjum bagged again to double Steeton's lead by finishing at the near post from a superb free kick delivery.

Callum Birdsall then halved the deficit.

Steeton’s third goal came from Baldwin, who volleyed first time into the roof of the goal.

From the restart, Roy Mason’s men won the ball back immediately and scored again. Andy Briggs slotted the ball beneath the onrushing keeper to give his side a three-goal lead at the interval.

Briggs fed an outrageous through ball to open up the defence and allowed Baldwin to grab his second.

Baldwin's wait for the match ball wouldn’t last much longer as he cut out a wayward pass before curling it past the keeper.