Nelson’s latest league win keeps pressure on premier division leaders

Nelson FC made it seven league wins out of nine this season as a 3-2 victory at Euxton Villa on Saturday kept them second in the NW Counties premier division, writes HARRY MANNING.

Manager Arron Ripley made just one change to the side which defeated Isle of Man 4-0 a week earlier as Jamie Edwards replaced the injured Max Cane.

Nelson had an early let-off, when a second-minute 'goal' for the hosts was ruled offside, and took the lead themselves with a ninth-minute penalty.

Jamie Edwards was brought down and Sean Ince found the bottom left corner from the spot, sending Villa keeper William Kitchen the wrong way.

Nelson keeper Chris Thompson saved a long-range shot at full-stretch but Ben Pendlebury equalised for Euxton on 13 minutes, after Thompson stopped his initial header.

And Villa were in front on 28 minutes as Pendlebury again scored on the rebound, this time after Thompson blocked Liam Clegg's shot.

Euxton rode their luck but stayed ahead until half-time after a back-pass struck a post and Luke Hepple was denied by an offside flag.

Nelson went on the attack after the restart as Lewis Brown and Hepple fired just off-target, then Richie Baker went through on goal only to be denied by a brilliant save from Kitchen.

The equaliser arrived on 65 minutes, when substitute Andy Hill got on the end of Baker's cross and fired home through a crowd of players.

Hepple's shot was cleared off the line but the Admirals scored the winner on 73 minutes, when Hill's cross was headed in at the far post by Sefton Gonzales.

Hepple went close again as his shot shaved a post but Nelson had done enough for a deserved win, which keeps them a point behind leaders Droylsden.

The league's Macron Cup gets underway this Saturday and Nelson visit Steeton in the first round.