The Saints returned from a very tough trip to Ellington with all 3 points but only after fighting back against a great second half performance from the home side who were reduced to ten men just before half time.
Ellington came into the game unbeaten in their first 3 games whilst the Saints had won one and lost one with many people predicting an exciting game on an impressive looking Ella Park.
Last seasons top scorer for the quay Joe Connor had the best chance early on as he raced onto a through ball but was denied by a smart one on one save from home keeper Andrew Simpson.
Saints right back Luke Taylor who is yet to score for his side went close twice to his opening goal first firing wide a great chance after a loose ball fell into his path in the box and then firing a 30 yard strike that threatened the top corner but whistled just wide.
It took Ellington half an hour to register there first shot as Kieran Park fired wide after being found with a great pull back from Adam Bains and Park had an even better chance to score minutes later when he rose highest to meet a right wing cross but he headed over a great opportunity.
Just before half time Ellington midfielder Ryan Johnstone was shown a straight red card after flying into a tackle on Saints midfielder Matty Cartwright who luckily escaped any injury in the incident.
With 45 minutes ahead against ten men Willington were strong fancies to get the win but that script was thrown out the window when a quality cross came in from John Gall and Ellington talisman Bains escaped his marker to bury the header and put the home side ahead.
The ten men gathered confidence from the goal and were dominant despite there man disadvantage and they missed a massive chance to double their lead when Bains latched onto another great ball into the area but this time he volleyed wide an absolute sitter. Bains was then denied by the outstretched hand of Saints keeper Ethan Dodgson who tipped the strikers header over with many in the ground thinking it had gone in.
Willington threw on Sean Conway for Ryan Ferrier with half an hour to go and the move paid off instantly as Ross Thirlaway’s free kick was brilliantly headed home by the substitute who made a great run across everyone before glancing the ball into the far corner.
Ellington then wasted two glorious chances to regain the lead first substitute Andrew Allan went through but mistimed his shot wide before centre midfielder Liam Mckee found himself unmarked at the back post only to fire his strike over the bar from close range.
Another substitute proved to be crucial in the Saints turnaround this time striker Dylan Adamson came off the bench to put Willington ahead pouncing on Alex Foreman’s strike off the post to slide and toe poke the ball home from 6 yards to put the Quay in the lead with 15 minutes left.
A minute later it was 3-1 Saints as midfielder Dale Hood man of the match on the day grabbed his first ever goal for the club after making a great late run into the penalty area to reach Foreman’s cross come shot before anyone else to smash the ball home from 8 yards.
In a worrying moment just after the third goal Ellington keeper Simpson collapsed with no one around him to the panic of everyone at the ground, thankfully after being carried off he was ok and grateful for the quick action from the coaches from both sides who ran onto help.
The remainder of the game was very low key after the incident and the Saints played out the game with no troubles to get their second win of the new season and first ever win at Ellington.
