Elston United made it four wins from four games on Saturday, climbing to joint top of the Nottinghamshire Senior League, Division 2. The 3-0 score-line against Calverton MW was Elston’s first clean sheet of the season, but the result could, in truth, have been even more emphatic as Elston missed several gilt-edged chances as well as scoring some good goals.

The home team started the game strongly, dominating both possession and chances, but had to wait until the 23rd minute to take the lead. A good move down the right-wing, involving man-of-the-match Tom Hazelwood and Harry Johnson, allowed Archie Dillon, Elston’s right back, to overlap and put over a pinpoint cross for James Scott to head home from six yards out. Elston created other good opportunities, notably for Sam Adcock and Sam Lloyd, but the Calverton goalkeeper made a series of fine saves to keep the half-time score to 1-0.

The second half followed the pattern of the first, with a series of chances for Elston. Sam Lloyd volleyed just over the bar, Rui Thacker couldn’t quite connect with a cross from the right wing and James Clarke’s shot was well saved after he skilfully dribbled past two Calverton defenders into the box.

Elston’s pressure and patience finally paid dividends in the 80th minute when James Scott was fouled in the box. Scott recovered to score emphatically into the top corner, and James Clarke grabbed a third Elston goal in injury time when he was first to react to the Calverton keeper’s parried save from James Smith’s shot.

Elston United: Brad Musgrove, Archie Dillon (Barney Repper 69), Toby Craven, James Smith, Xander Millar, Sam Lloyd (Jordan Forth 69), Tom Hazelwood, Harry Johnson (James Clarke 69), James Scott, Curtis French (Teddy Furman 60), Sam Adcock (Rui Thacker 60).