Goals from James Scott, Jake Leadbetter and two from substitute Elliott Burrell gave The Clams a well-deserved three points at Radcliffe Olympic, kick-starting their Division 1 campaign at the third time of asking. Following a draw at PMG Excel and a narrow home defeat to Meden Vale Colts, Elston produced an impressive performance and result with some memorable goals.

Elston’s pressing and positive play nearly produced a goal in the 10th minute when Curtis French won the ball high up the pitch. French’s cross found James Scott at the back post, but his shot slammed against the post and away to safety.

There were further opportunities for Scott, Rui Thacker and man-of-the-match Jake Leadbetter, but Elston had to wait until the final minute of the half before taking the lead. Scott and Thacker combined on the half-way line before releasing Will Veys who was brought down in the box by the Radcliffe goalkeeper. Scott made no mistake from the spot for his third goal of the campaign.

In the second half Elston picked up where they had left off. On 50 minutes Scott dribbled past two Radcliffe players before setting up Leadbetter who unleashed an unstoppable low drive from 20-yards to double Elston’s lead. Radcliffe then pulled a goal back against the run of play in the 55th minute with a fine strike, but that was the last time that the hosts would trouble Elston’s defence.

In the 58th minute Elliott Burrell was introduced to the game and he only needed two minutes to make his mark. Leadbetter won the ball on the half-way line and the scorer turned provider as his pass found Burrell who chipped the Radcliffe keeper from the corner of the box. Burrell scored his second in the 75th minute when he despatched Scott’s incisive pass with a crisp strike that extended Elston’s lead and gave The Clams a worthy away win.

Elston United: Brad Musgrove, Barney Repper, Toby Craven, James Smith, Tom Hazelwood, Jake Leadbetter (Archie Dillon 74), Sam Lloyd (Sam Adcock 74), Curtis French (Harry Johnson 51), James Scott, Will Veys (Teddy Furman 58), Rui Thacker (Elliott Burrell 58).