Elston United fell to their second defeat of the season in a tightly-contested game against high-flying Stapleford Town Reserves. With injuries forcing four changes to the previous game’s starting line-up, Elston started a little tentatively against their unbeaten opponents in a first half of few chances.

As the half progressed, so too did Elston’s confidence and positivity, and both Harry Johnson and Jake Ledbetter had reasonable chances to open the scoring. Stand-in goalkeeper Sam Adcock had relatively little to do, but as half-time approached he made a brilliant save to tip the ball over the bar from a point-blank shot.

Unfortunately for Elston, there was still time for Stapleford to carve out one more chance and this time the hosts made no mistake. A long diagonal ball evaded Elston’s back four and the Stapleford striker was unmarked and headed the ball past a helpless Adcock.

The Clams started the second half on the front foot and were unlucky not to get on level terms when Harry Johnson’s shot-cum-cross only narrowly evaded James Scott’s outstretched boot. That miss felt even more painful when Stapleford doubled their lead after 55 minutes. Another long ball found a Stapleford striker on the edge of the box, and although Adcock parried his shot the ball fell to Alfie Barker, Stapleford’s player-of-the-match, who calmly slotted the rebound into the far corner.

Elston responded positively to this second setback, and two minutes later pulled a goal back. A free-kick from Xander Millar was not fully cleared by the Stapleford defence, allowing Sam Lloyd to dribble back into the box where the ball fell to Rui Thacker who swept home from 10-yards.

The goal gave the visitors renewed energy and the Clams pushed on in search of an equaliser. Curtis French headed wide, Rui Thacker shot over the bar from a tight angle and James Scott had a good shot blocked and a header tipped over the bar.

At the other end Stapleford remained dangerous on the break, and Elston were grateful to Adcock for two great saves that kept Elston in the game. In injury time there was one last chance for Elston, but Scott’s left foot strike sailed narrowly over the bar.

Elston United: Sam Adcock, Archie Dillon (Curtis French 35, Tom Newbould 75), James Smith, Toby Craven, Xander Miller, Sam Lloyd, Jake Ledbetter, Harry Johnson (Jordan Forth 65), James Scott, Rui Thacker, Teddy Furman (Will Veys 65)