An 86th minute winner from super-sub Jack Davis kept Elmer’s title dreams alive at Mill Road. In a match billed as a rehearsal for their forthcoming Ken Baker Memorial Cup Final clash it was the visitors who enjoyed the best of the early action with KC Stansbridge and Ben Cox causing Elmer a couple of scares. To their credit though, the new central defensive partnership of Luis Gonzalez and Kyle Belcher managed to hold firm during this period.
Gradually Elmer did manage to get a tighter grip on the game with Martyn Hope and Tom Bann beginning to control the centre of the park. This improvement ultimately paid dividends in the 34th minute when Utd’s keeper, Jason Castle, inexplicably handled a back-pass leaving referee Mr. Minty no option than to award Elmer an indirect free-kick just six yards out. A deft touch from Alex Peach set up Nathan Sadler and Elmer’s top scorer crashed the ball into the roof of the net to make the half-time score 1-0.
The tight nature of this encounter continued into the second half, both teams creating chances but failing to capitalise. Elmer replaced Kaine Lewis with veteran right back Sean O’Donnell on 65 minutes, and just 3 minutes later were forced to withdraw skipper Alex Peach from the action following an injury to be replaced by Craig Gardner. Chances were now falling to both sides with no-one managing to take advantage. A bold move on 77 minutes saw Davis replace the prolific Sadler at the head of Elmer’s attack, immediately giving the hosts another dimension. However, with just six minutes remaining it looked as if Elmer were to drop two vital points in their chance to catch Butlins (BR) FC at the top of Division 3. Gonzalez was penalised for handball just outside Elmer’s penalty area and Cox stepped up to bury the free-kick past Steve Nanson for what was in reality a deserved equaliser. Stung by this setback Elmer launched a period of concerted pressure. They were rewarded with just a couple of minutes remaining when Davis got onto a Bann corner to force the ball past Castle to claim all three points and send the watching Butlins team manager home a disappointed man. Elmer now need four points from their remaining two matches to claim the Division 3 title.
