Whitchurch Alport 3 Highgate United 2

A superb Jud Ellis hat-trick earned Alport all three points at a rain soaked KMJ Mortgages Stadium. Jud had given the Reds a quickfire lead with only 59 seconds on the clock but by half time poor defending from the home side had given the visitors a 2–1 lead. But two more Ellis goals was enough to help Luke Goddard’s men over the line in ever worsening conditions.

Some scintillating passing with less than a minute played gave the makeshift centre forward an opportunity to pick out the far corner to give Alport the dream start. With Alex Hughes suspended for one game under the totting up procedure, Ellis grabbed the mantle to lead the line superbly. However, Highgate equalised midway through the half with Whitchurch defenders waiting for an offside flag to be raised but it never came and Oliver Hough had all the time in the world to knock the ball past a helpless Ellis Allen. Two minutes before the break indecisive decision-making saw Lee Chilton find the net with Alport’s keeper once again given no chance. Then came the Jud show with great feet opening a chance which the number nine finished calmly past the United goalkeeper. With just six minutes to play substitute Jacob Farleigh did well to lay on the hat-trick for Ellis whose composure earned him a well-deserved treble. The rains may well have bashed down on a soggy pitch but it was Jud who bashed down a leg weary Highgate team. Not the most difficult of decisions when choosing the man of the match but the big question on everyone’s lips was will Hughes manage to get back into the team!