From the World Cup to a hat-trick at 36: All White Tommy Smith produces remarkable night in England

New Zealand international Tommy Smith has enjoyed plenty of memorable moments across a career spanning nearly two decades, but the experienced defender has now added something he had never previously achieved: a senior hat-trick.

The 36-year-old All White scored all three of his goals with headers, including a dramatic winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time, as Bury Town defeated local rivals Leiston 4-3 in the Southern League Premier Central.

It was an extraordinary contribution from a player much better known for preventing goals than scoring them.

Bury took an early lead through Jamie McGrath before Smith made it 2-0 in the 14th minute. Leiston responded through an Adam Mills double to send the teams into half-time level at 2-2.

Smith struck again shortly before the hour mark, heading home from a corner to restore Bury’s advantage.

Leiston refused to go away. Willie Clemons equalised in the 84th minute and appeared to have secured a point for the visitors.

Then came Smith’s final intervention.

Deep into stoppage time, the New Zealander met another delivery into the area and headed beyond goalkeeper Callum Robinson to complete his hat-trick and give Bury a remarkable 4-3 victory.

The club named Smith Player of the Match after a performance that extended Bury Town’s perfect start to the league season to six consecutive victories.

For Smith himself, there was another remarkable detail: despite a career that has included hundreds of professional appearances, international football and multiple countries, this was his first senior hat-trick.

“I scored two for Ipswich once upon a time, but never a hat-trick,” Smith told Suffolk News following the match. “It’s brilliant. Never in my wildest dreams would I think as a centre-back that I’m going to score a hat-trick.”

It represents an unusual new chapter in a career that has taken Smith from English football to Major League Soccer, Australia and New Zealand.

The defender spent more than a decade associated with Ipswich Town and later represented Colorado Rapids, Sunderland, Colchester United and MK Dons, among others. He subsequently moved to the A-League with Macarthur FC before becoming part of Auckland FC’s inaugural squad, where he was a member of the club’s leadership group.

Smith later returned to England with Braintree Town and joined Bury Town in August.

His move came shortly after another major milestone in his career: representing New Zealand at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Smith has accumulated 56 appearances for the All Whites and, at 36, his career has now taken him considerably further down the English football pyramid than during his years with Ipswich.

The surroundings may be different, but the New Zealand veteran is certainly making his presence felt.

Three headers, a first career hat-trick and a 94th-minute derby winner made for a night that Smith — and Bury Town supporters — are unlikely to forget.