A late Will Veys winner gave Elston United a hard-earned 3–2 victory at Collingham in their latest Nottinghamshire Senior League Division One fixture.

Elston started brightly and created several early opportunities, with Jacob Mulliss, James Scott and James Clarke all threatening the home goal.

But it was Collingham who struck first against the run of play. A 50-50 challenge fell kindly for the home side and their striker took full advantage, finishing well with a low angled drive. Elston responded strongly. Mulliss was desperately unlucky to see an effort come back off the post, while Scott appeared to be brought down inside the area only for a strong penalty appeal to be waved away.

The equaliser finally arrived on the half-hour mark. Tom Hazelwood delivered a corner into the box and Scott was there to convert and bring Elston level.

Five minutes later, another Hazelwood corner produced Elston’s second goal. Sam Lloyd rose at the near post to flick the ball on and Clarke was on hand to complete the turnaround. Elston went into the break 2–1 ahead, although there was some frustration that a dominant first-half display had not produced a more comfortable advantage.

Collingham improved considerably after the interval and the game became a much more even contest. Mulliss, Louis Cross and Veys all went close for Elston, while another strong penalty appeal for a challenge on Scott was turned down.

At the other end, the hosts were becoming increasingly dangerous and drew level after 67 minutes when their forward found the bottom corner with a well-struck effort from the edge of the box.

With the game now end-to-end, either side might have found the winner. But in the 86th minute it was Elston who struck decisively. Good work from Teddy Furman and Scott down the left created space for a low cross into the crowded penalty area, where Veys met it first time and steered the ball through a ruck of defenders and into the net.

The celebrations that followed – and those at the final whistle – reflected just how much this victory meant. It was a win built not only on Elston’s attacking quality, but also on the discipline, determination and resilience required to come through a fiercely contested game.

Elston United: Cristian Costoiu, Barney Repper, Louis Cross, Sam Lloyd, James Smith, Tom Hazelwood (Teddy Furman 70), Harry Scott, Ryan Fletcher, James Scott, James Clarke (Rui Thacker 70), Jacob Mulliss (Will Veys 70).