On an evening that included a solar eclipse, it was Elston United who eventually lit up the night, scoring five second-half goals on their way to an emphatic 6–0 victory over Collingham Reserves.

Elston almost made the perfect start, James Scott hitting the post inside 30 seconds following a run and cross from Barney Repper. Teddy Furman and Will Veys also went close during a bright opening five minutes.

Collingham then began to control possession, but Elston’s pace down the flanks remained a constant threat. The breakthrough came after 20 minutes when Furman’s superb defence-splitting pass released Louis Cross on a run from deep. Cross calmly finished beneath the goalkeeper, but was injured in the process and had to be replaced.

The remainder of the half produced fewer chances, with Elston struggling to retain meaningful possession.

After the break, however, Elston took control. James Clarke converted Repper’s cross on 55 minutes before Scott made it 3–0 from the penalty spot after being fouled, with Collingham subsequently reduced to ten men for dissent.

Ryan Fletcher added a spectacular fourth with a 20-yard strike into the top corner before 17-year-old Jacob Mulliss raced clear from halfway to score his first Elston goal. Scott completed the scoring five minutes from time, tapping home following an excellent Tom Hazelwood run and cross-shot.

A much calmer and more controlled second-half display, combined with a constant threat in the final third, completed an excellent evening for Elston.

Elston United: Harry Johnson, Barney Repper, Teddy Furman (Tom Hazelwood 60), Sam Lloyd (Toby Cullen 70), Toby Craven, Jake Ledbetter, Louis Cross (Jude Hazzledine 20), Ryan Fletcher, James Scott, James Clarke (Archie Dillon 80), Will Veys (Jacob Mulliss 70).