Selston strike three to land first win of United Counties League Division One season

They overcame extreme heat and a depleted squad to return from one of the longer journeys of the season with all three points.

It was Selston's third game in just eight days, and manager Lee Stevenson was forced into six changes to his starting XI. Stevenson himself and assistant manager Sean Gregory were both named amongst the substitutes as the squad was stretched by injuries and availability.

Despite the testing conditions, Selston started brightly and were rewarded for their positive approach after just nine minutes.

It was a crazy passage of play which initially saw Pinchbeck come close to opening the scoring, only for Branon Meehan to produce an excellent save. Selston immediately turned defence into attack, and Colt Reynolds, returning to the side, chased down the home goalkeeper near the touchline. Reynolds won possession before showing tremendous composure to curl the ball into the vacant net from distance and give Selston the lead.

The visitors doubled their advantage on 19 minutes. Excellent work from the industrious Elliott Bland opened the space for Arthur Pashley on the left, with the winger pulling the ball back into the path of Ty Short.

Short took a touch before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner from 10 yards to score his second goal of the campaign.

Selston looked in complete control during the opening 25 minutes, but the hosts gradually worked their way back into the contest. Louis Garner picked up possession inside the Selston box and produced a smart finish across Meehan and into the bottom corner.

The goal gave Pinchbeck renewed belief and, with the visitors having taken their foot off the gas, the half-time whistle came at a useful moment for Stevenson to reorganise his side.

Selston emerged for the second half much more organised and immediately regained control. The visitors pressed for a third goal to give themselves breathing space and were eventually rewarded on 73 minutes.

Bland once again played a key role, sending a teasing ball into the box which found Jack Cockram. The skipper's angled effort from eight yards was parried by the goalkeeper, but Leighton Bowering was quickest to react, scrambling the rebound home from close range to restore Selston's two-goal advantage.

With players tiring in the intense heat, Stevenson made further changes to protect the lead, bringing Wayne Cooke on for Bowering before George Layton returned from suspension to replace the impressive Short.

Selston's fitness and organisation proved crucial during the closing stages as they comfortably managed the game and saw out the final minutes to secure a thoroughly deserved first win of the season.

The victory provides an important boost after a difficult opening fortnight and gives Selston momentum heading into their next fixture.

Manager Lee Stevenson said: “That was a really important win for us, especially given the circumstances. Three games in eight days, a long journey, extreme heat and a squad that is currently stretched — the lads deserve enormous credit.

“The first 25 minutes were excellent and we could have been even further ahead, but we probably took our foot off the gas a little and allowed them back into the game. We addressed that at half-time and I thought the second half was much more professional.

“The fitness levels were excellent considering what the lads have been asked to do, and we managed the game really well towards the end. Elliott was outstanding today, but it was a proper team performance.

“Most importantly, we've got that first win on the board. Now we need to build on it.”