Despite a battling performance Sinclair United were beaten 4-1 by Ashton Villa.
Although the scoreline might suggest an easy match for Ashton, it was far from it and they left the match knowing they had to work hard to earn the three points.
Steve Nash kept the same line-up from last week's victory at King's Sutton and before the match asked his side to maintain 100 per cent concentration throughout the match. Ashton have currently scored more than 20 goals in just four games in the league so far, and Nash knew his side would need to be at their best to contain Ashton's forwards.
And for a large part of the first half, United certainly did themselves justice as their determination and hard work saw them make a formidable unit to break down. And it was their good discipline and shape that meant Ashton were restricted to half chances in the first quarter of the first half before they went in front on 25 minutes.
Following a foul to the left of the 18-yard box, Ashton's prolific striker stepped up to curl a low shot beyond the disparing dive of Stuart Ciballi in goal.
In similar situations other teams would have crumbled to conceded further goals, but the goal did nothing to affect United's morale. They continued to work hard to restrict Ashton and their passing game, trying to feed lone striker Josh Nash up front.
Winger Ben Washington had possibly the best chance for United in the first half for United. A break down the left hand side saw him bear down on goal, and with three other players in support on the edge of the box, the winger instead shot wide of the goal.
Ashton were to double their lead however in the 35th minute when a good move down the left hand side again saw Ashton's striker clear in the box and his low drive fizzed past Ciballi.
United kept working hard until the half time whistle and were somewhat unfortunate to concede a penalty towards the end of the half. As the home were defending their 18-yard box. Luke Whitehead was adjudged to have caught an Ashton player as he went to clear the ball away.
The decision angered many of the United players, who felt the Ashton player had made more of the challenge. Nevertheless, Ashton's striker calmly stepped up to send Ciballi the wrong way from the spot to complete this hat-trick.
Despite the scoreline, United had performed admirably to keep their free-scoring opponents at bay. And Nash would be asking more of the same in the second half.
Jason Pritchard came on for Toby Jones on the right side of midfield and United were again defending deep against Ashton's passing movements. But the home side were playing with a new confidence in the search of a goal.
And they nearly did just that when a ball to the right saw Pritchard fire a low drive into the box, only for Ian Timms to see his shot rattle the crossbar.
Their hard work was to finally pay off though from a corner from the left in the 70th minute. From the corner Timms rose highest to power a header towards goal, only for the keeper to parry it back into play. Washington was quickest to react and after a few attempts managed to squeeze the ball home.
The goal was well deserved for United, who despite being the underdogs had valiantly worked hard throughout the division one encounter. As the game started to draw to a close United were unlucky to concede a fourth goal with ten minutes to go.
Following a flowing move down the left, a cross across the box saw the ball bundled in at the far post.
Following the final whistle. the reaction from United's players showed despite the result they were pleased with their performance against one of the league's title contenders. United seem to already be maturing into a side that is difficult to break down, but can score goals.
Nash's boys take a break from division one action next week as they welcome Bloxham to Hanwell Fields in the Coronation Cup. United enjoyed a great cup run last year as they reached both a final and semi-final. Nash will be hoping for a similar run this year.
UNITED: S Ciballi, W Jones, L Jarvis, A Timms, L Whitehead, T Jones (J Pritchard 45), I Timms, K Woodcock (P Rogers 70), L Butterworth, B Washington, J Nash (D Wiles) Sub unused: M Coyne
Man of the Match: Everyone!
