A superb hat-trick from James Scott – taking his season tally to 29 goals – ensured Elston United signed off their campaign with a thrilling victory over Radcliffe Olympic. A James Clarke free-kick completed the scoring in a game that had just about everything.

A third consecutive win means The Clams finish 8th in the NSL Division 1, with 36 points from 26 games – a highly creditable return in their first season at this level. But this was anything but straightforward.

Elston made the brighter start and took the lead after 11 minutes. Scott collected Barney Repper’s pass, beat his man and rifled an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net from 20 yards. The home side controlled much of the first half, and doubled their advantage on the half-hour when Clarke’s 25-yard free-kick bounced awkwardly in front of the goalkeeper and slipped through his grasp.

At 2–0, Elston looked comfortable – but the game turned dramatically in the space of two minutes. First, a failure to deal with a corner allowed a Radcliffe forward to sweep home from close range. Moments later, a quick break down the right ended with a fine cross and a powerful header to level the scores at 2–2 going into half-time.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Elston enjoying the majority of possession but Radcliffe posing a threat on the break. That threat materialised midway through the half when a sharp pass into the box was met first time and guided into the far corner to give the visitors the lead.

With the game slipping away, Elston responded strongly. A series of substitutions injected fresh energy, and in the 75th minute Elliott Burrell did well to control Repper’s cross and tee up Scott, who finished confidently from close range to make it 3–3.

The winner came five minutes from time. Tom Hazelwood released Will Veys down the right, and his cross found Scott, who finished first time from six yards to complete his hat-trick and seal a deserved – if hard-fought – victory.

Overall, this has been an impressive first season for Elston United in Division 1. The team has shown resilience, quality and growing confidence – and will head into next season with real momentum.

Elston United: Cristian Costoiu, Tom Newbould (Elliott Burrell 70), Louis Cross, Toby Craven (Teddy Furman 55), Tom Hazelwood, Toby Cullen, Barney Repper, Archie Dillon (Will Veys 60), James Clarke (Harry Johnson 60), Rui Thacker (Adam Fear 80), James Scott