Elston United’s first season in Division 2 of the Nottinghamshire Senior League began with a strong performance and deserved win against Gedling Southbank, last season’s Division 3 champions. Goals from Teddy Furman and Harry Johnson, plus a brace from James Scott, last season’s top scorer, were enough to secure victory against a hard-working Gedling team, but it wasn’t completely plain sailing for the home team.

After a quiet opening to the game, Elston gifted Gedling a goal when a mix-up in defence led to the Jordan Firth finding the back of the Elston net with a misplaced back-pass. If anything, however, this unfortunate error sparked Elston into life and in the 37th minute the home team deservedly equalised when a clever pass by Louis Cross found Scott on the edge of the box who dribbled past two Gedling defenders before calmly slotting home.

Four minutes later things got even better for the home side. Attacking down the left side, Scott linked with Furman who drove into the box and drove the ball home, via a deflection, to make the score 2-1. By this time, Elston’s passing and attacking was starting to create further chances and so it was somewhat against the run of play when, in first half injury time, the visitors equalised from a penalty after the referee spotted an infringement following a Gedling corner.

A 2-2 half-time scoreline was somewhat harsh on Elston, but the home team continued to dominate possession and chances in the second half and on 50 minutes Harry Johnson restored Elston’s lead with a strong left-foot strike from the edge of the box following a pass by Sam Lloyd. Further chances came and went and it was no surprise when Scott scored his second of the game – this time from the penalty spot – to make the full-time score 4-2 to Elston United.

Elston United: Brad Musgrove, Tom Hazelwood (Archie Dillon 70), Toby Craven, Jordan Firth, Xander Millar, Sam Lloyd, Louis Cross, Harry Johnson (James Smith 70), James Scott, Teddy Furman (Curtis French 70), Rui Thacker (James Clarke 60). Sub (not used) Harry Scott.