Elston United moved to the top of the NSL Division 2 for the first time this season after a 2-1 victory against in-form AJ Sport FC. Two James Scott goals from two Joe Wroughton crosses were enough to secure the win, leaving Elston with 37 points from 14 games, two points ahead of Notts Olympic and with three games in hand.

AJ Sport started the game strongly, dominating possession and keeping the Elston team penned in its own half. That said, Elston’s back three of Archie Dillon, Toby Craven and James Smith worked hard to limit the number of chances, and AJ Sport’s attackers were restricted to long-range shots, none of which troubled Brad Musgrove in the Elston goal.

As the half progressed, the Elston midfield, led by the tenacious Harry Scott and Barney Repper, began to get to grips with the visitors, winning more of the ball and setting up attacks down both wings for Will Veys and Harry Johnson, one of which led to a 33rd-minute chance for James Clarke whose snapshot whistled over the bar.

If the Elston players were satisfied to reach half-time with a 0-0 score-line, they were far happier a minute into the second half when Joe Wroughton’s corner was met at the far post by James Scott. Things could have been even better for Elston ten minutes later when Will Veys raced through the AJ Sport defence, but his shot was well saved by the keeper to keep the score at 1-0. The game was still tight wither relatively few chances for either team, but on 65 minutes AJ Sport equalised after a cross from the right found the visitor’s centre forward who scored from six yards.

Elston responded with a series of substitutions and Rui Thacker nearly made an instant impact when he just failed to connect with a cross from the left wing. But Elston didn’t need to wait much longer to find a winner. In the 74th minute, a Joe Wroughton free-kick from the left side of the box was brilliantly headed into the top corner by James Scott for his – and Elston’s – second goal of the game.

Despite AJ Sport’s frantic efforts to find a second equaliser, Elston defended well to secure the win, and the only negative for the home side was a nasty-looking shoulder injury for Curtis French in the last minute of the game. Everyone at the club hopes he recovers very quickly and we also thank Nic, the AJ Sport coach, who helped to treat the injury.

Elston United: Brad Musgrove, Archie Dillon (Jake Ledbetter 65), Toby Craven, James Smith, Harry Johnson (Tom Hazelwood 80), Will Veys (Teddy Furman 80), Barney Repper, Harry Scott, Joe Wroughton (Curtis French), James Scott, James Clarke (Rui Thacker 65).