Elston rose to the challenge of playing a team from two divisions higher but were ultimately edged out by the odd goal in three in an action-packed game against Ollerton Town.

The visitors started the game looking nervy against their higher-ranked hosts and it was no surprise when Ollerton took the lead after 10 minutes, even though the Elston players unsuccessfully appealed to the referee for a foul in the build-up to the goal. That setback seemed to help Elston to settle into the game, however, and the midfield three of Sam Lloyd, Jake Ledbetter and James Scott began to win more of the ball and launch some Elston attacks. So, it was somewhat disheartening for Elston when an Ollerton free-kick was caught by the wind and floated agonisingly over Brad Musgrove and into the net to double the home side’s lead.

Far from buckling, however, Elston became even more positive, pressing the Ollerton team and winning the ball higher up the pitch. And the visitors’ efforts were rewarded early in the second half when Sam Lloyd broke free before setting up James Clarke who finished smartly from 15 yards, sliding the ball under the advancing keeper. A series of substitutions added even more impetus for Elston who were denied a penalty when Kieran Adams seemed to be upended in the box; the referee instead giving a free-kick to Elston after deciding that the offence was committed outside the penalty area.

Ollerton created chances of their own, but a series of blocks by James Smith, Toby Craven and Xander Miller protected the Elston goal. In the 85th minute Ollerton were awarded a penalty, but failed to score as Musgrove guessed correctly and saved the shot with his left foot. A couple of minutes later, however, Musgrove went from hero to villain when he left his box to join in a confrontation and pushed over an Ollerton player. The referee had no hesitation in giving Musgrove a straight red card and Ollerton were able to hold on to their 2-1 lead and inflict Elston’s first defeat of the season.

Elston United: Brad Musgrove, Barney Repper, Toby Craven, James Smith, Xander Millar, Sam Lloyd, Jake Ledbetter (Kieran Adams 67), Harry Johnson (Curtis French 67), James Scott, Tom Hazelwood (Teddy Furman 45), James Clarke (Rui Thacker 67).