It was a classic ‘game of two halves’ on Saturday as Elston United made it three wins out of three in the Nottinghamshire Senior League, Division 2. Comfortably leading 3-0 half-time, Elston saw their lead slip to 3-2 before James Scott’s 80th minute header secured the points.

Elston dominated both possession and chances in the first half, with Scott, Sam Adcock, Tom Hazelwood and Harry Johnson all creating problems for the Greyfriars defence. And so it was no surprise that Elston took the lead after 31 minutes when Scott, who had been fouled in the box, sent the Greyfriars keeper the wrong way from the spot. Five minutes later Scott broke through again from Adcock’s flick and calmly slotted the ball past keeper to double Elston’s lead.

The first half scoring was completed on 40 minutes when Scott turned provider. A fine Elston move down the right side found Scott, whose low, driven cross was met at the far post by Johnson, although Elston only kept a clean sheet thanks to James Smith’s superb goal-line clearance.

If that clearance was a warning to Elston, it was one they didn’t seem to take and The Clams struggled to get out of their half for the first 20 minutes of the second period. Greyfriars direct approach pinned the visitors back in their 18-yard box and a series of dangerous corners led to two headed goals in the 48th and 67th minutes.

The second goal gave Greyfriars real encouragement – and Elston were indebted to goalkeeper Brad Musgrove who made a brilliant one-handed save from a long-range Greyfriars effort – but it also served to reawaken Elston from their slumbers. Toby Craven and Smith started to win the long-ball challenges and Louis Cross and Sam Lloyd were able to launch a number of attacks, with good chances for Johnson, Adcock and Lloyd to extend Elston’s lead.

The visitors had to wait until the 80th minute for a second-half goal, however. Hazelwood’s pinpoint free-kick from the right wing was clinically headed home by Scott to complete the scoring, grab his hat-trick and secure the three points for Elston.

Elston United: Brad Musgrove, Archie Dillon (Curtis French, 70), Toby Craven, James Smith, Xander Millar, Sam Lloyd, Louis Cross, Harry Johnson, James Scott, Tom Hazelwood, Sam Adcock. Sub not used: Dan Thurman