HAT-TRICK hero Paddy James knows exactly where to send his prize if he wins the 'Player of the round' award for his FA Cup scoring exploits.

The dynamic, little Lymington & New Milton striker is on a short-list of three players nominated for the nationwide award after inspiring the Linnets to an 8-2 victory over Clevedon United in Saturday's second qualifying round.

Should he top the voting, the 23-year-old Totton-based frontman will give his prize of £1000-worth of Umbro football kit and equipment to his old school, Testwood.

James recalled: "Our sports teacher was called Mr Ainsworth and in our very last year at school we won the Hampshire Under-16 Cup final. We were the first team in 26 years to win it.

"I'm really chuffed that I've been nominated. I had a big smile on my face when I heard. Considering the number of teams and players who took part on Saturday, it's quite an achievement just to be short-listed."

James began his Wessex League career with Blackfield & Langley then played for AFC Totton before linking up with his old Testwood Park boss Ian Robinson at Fawcett's Field during the summer.

His all-action displays have made him an instant fans' favourite with the New Forest faithful and Robinson smiled: "He's got a fan club down there already and he's playing to the crowd now! He's fitter and sharper than he used to be and has added another facet to his game by working really hard when we haven't got the ball.

"He ripped Clevedon apart and their manager came up to me afterwards and said his players just couldn't cope with Paddy."

Robinson added: "Paddy's nomination is excellent for the club. They had a torrid time of it last season with lots of changes of manager, but everyone's worked really hard and it's nice to have our profile raised."

Vying with James for the award are Gedling Town's Steve Scoffham, whose last-minute goal dumped out Unibond Premier outfit Alfreton 1-0, and Sam Winston who struck a nine-minute hat-trick in Boreham Wood's 4-0 dismantling of Burgess Hill.

Ironically James and Winston played on opposite sides in the FA Cup second qualifying round last season. Winston scored at Testwood Park to help Slough Town snatch a 2-2 draw with Totton and the Berkshire club won the replay 2-0.

Lymington & New Milton fans can vote in their droves for James by going on-line at www.TheFA.com All votes must be cast before 5pm on Friday (October 3). The winner will be announced on Monday.