Seth Chambers’ five-goal salvo to fire Needham Market into the semi-finals of the Endeavour Automotive Suffolk Premier Cup was reward for his improvement as a player.

So said the Marketmen’s assistant manager Tom Rothery after the 22-year-old striker netted five times in their 7-0 victory over Stowmarket Town in Tuesday’s quarter-final tie at Bloomfields.

Chambers opened his account with an acrobatic overhead kick after just six minutes, before Tevan Allen made it two eight minutes before the break.

Luke Ingram saw his spot-kick saved by Charlie De Lara Bell at the end of the half, but Chambers made it 3-0 in time added on.

The interval scoreline was tough on the visitors who had been competitive and created chances of their own, with Jamie Bennett providing a threat down the left.

The second period was a much more one-sided affair, Chambers completing his hat-trick with a far post header from Allen’s left-wing free-kick in the 64th minute.

He netted his fourth with a near-post header from a Callum Page cross nine minutes later, before tapping home from close range after 76 minutes.

Ollie Fraser completed the scoring in the 83rd minute, nodding home a deep curling cross from out on the left by Jamie McGrath.

Rothery said of Chambers: “In the last seven or eight weeks, Seth’s really come on. He’s starting to use his size better.

"It is difficult playing up front on your own. We started with two up front, but generally we do play with one up front and it’s a tough role to play.

“As a young lad it’s hard as he’s not always starting, he comes off the bench, and it’s hard in 15 or 20 minutes to learn the game really, but in the last seven or eight weeks he has really come on and progressed and kind of got his reward tonight, so I am really pleased for him as he is just a really good lad.”

Needham Market join Felixstowe & Walton United, Ipswich Town Under-18s and Leiston in the semi-final draw which will be broadcast on BBC Radio Suffolk on Friday between 6pm and 7pm.