Luke Butterworth and Jason Pritchard both grabbed braces for Sinclair United as they finished February unbeaten in the league with a 5-1 win at Deddington Town Reserves.
With a depleted squad to choose from, the game signalled a return to first team action for Matt Jeffs. The agile shotstopper has been on the sidelines since September with a groin strain but returned in goal in place of Toby Jones. The only other change saw Ben Washington return to the starting 11 on the left side of midfield.
As a brisk wind began cutting across the pitch, United began the first half strongly and pressed forward towards the Deddington goal. They very nearly took the lead in textbook fashion after 15 minutes when the ball fell on the edge of the area to Ben Washington, who unleashed a fierce first time volley back towards goal they was tipped over the crossbar.
United were looking dangerous at set pieces but with Deddington's experienced keeper they were unable to break the deadlock. And with the breeze proving difficult for United to get the ball under control, they had to be alert to the youthful home side who were passing the ball around nicely but not threatening Jeffs in goal.
It was all square at the end of a very even first half, and United boss Steve Nash knew the importance of a first goal.
And he didn't have long until United were pressing towards Deddington's goal. First Jason Pritchard grazed the outside of the post after good work in the midfield had fed Butterworth through. Despite the keeper saving the striker's initial effort, Pritchard's follow up bobbled agonizingly onto the outside of the post for a goal kick.
Pritchard wasn't to be denied a second time however. Following a free kick in their own half, a great lofted ball from Luke Whitehead found its way to Pritchard on the edge of the box and he brought the ball under control before firing past the keeper into the far corner.
But before United had time to settle down and go for a second goal, Deddington equalised with a well worked goal of their own barely five minutes later. Following a nice passing move, the ball was fed through to the striker and he managed to lift the ball over Jeffs and into the far corner.
The equaliser did nothing to lower United's confidence and they continued to create chances. The introduction of Josh Nash added some pace up front and he was soon causing the defence problems.
And United made it 2-1 midway through the second half when good work from Ben Riley found Butterworth in the box and he made no mistake, firing high into the net to restore the away side's lead.
Butterworth was to double his tally soon after his first when a first time shot from Pritchard could only be parried by the Deddington keeper and the striker was quickest to react and poke the ball home despite pressure from an onrushing defender.
With the game still finely balanced, United still had to be alert against the young side and their defence did a great job in protecting Jeffs in the United goal.
The game was over as a contest though ten minutes from time when another inswinging corner from Riley found its way to Ian Timms. Despite a scramble in the box, the midfielder managed to bundle the ball home through a crowded box.
And United scored the fifth and final goal of the game in the dying minutes. Riley continued to weave his way into the box and despite seeing his shot partially saved by the keeper, Pritchard was quickest to the ball and managed to poke the ball home ahead of the last defender.
The win pulls United further away from the chasing pack and leaves them in fifth means their next game against fourth-placed Croughton could prove to be a decisive match in their season.
UNITED: Jeffs, L Whitehead, L Jarvis, A Timms, W Jones (M Coyne 80), B Washington (J Nash 65), I Timms, K Woodcock, B Riley, J Pritchard, L Butterworth
