Ebbsfleet striker Matty Godden said scoring a hat-trick on Saturday lifted a weight from his shoulders.

Godden hadn't scored a league goal in eight starts since rejoining the club in the summer but then three came along at once to earn his side a 3-0 win over Farnborough.

It was his second hat-trick of the season, after netting three times in Ebbsfleet's 7-1 demolition of Hythe in the FA Cup in September.

Godden said: "It's another little weight off the shoulders.

"That hat-trick that came the other month lifted a weight off my shoulders, for the first goal (of the season), and now to get my first league goal - well, three league goals - I'm delighted."

Ebbsfleet went into the Farnborough game having not won at home since that victory over Hythe; a barren run lasting four matches and seven weeks.

Godden's goals, therefore, were like manna from heaven.

He said: "We've kept seven clean sheets in nine (league) games but things weren't quite clicking at the top end.

"But we always know that if we keep a clean sheet and go a goal ahead, teams are going to struggle because we've got the best defensive record in the league (after Gosport, who have played four games less).

"It was just about being patient and finding the goals.

"We all know they'll come, we've all worked hard in training, and it paid off today."