SPORT 4 Pinehurst chief Bill Robertson believes his side overcame a big hurdle in their quest to be Division One title contenders in a hard-fought 2-1 win away at Core Construction.

The hosts had collected just a solitary league point from their previous four outings but looked on course to add to that when they led at the break through Neil Mitcham’s spectacular strike.

However, Robertson issued a rallying cry at the break and Aaron Wellend levelled the scores before Lee Davis snatched a late winner to bag Pinehurst a fifth straight league win at the start of the season and keep them at the top of the table.

“It was probably one of the best games I have seen against my lads. Their keeper was in incredible form and we couldn’t get it by him and their goal was a wonderful strike too,” said Robertson.

“But I always knew in the back of my mind that if we could get one goal, we would get two. At half-time I just said to the players: ‘Keep doing what you are doing. If you want this league, you need to go out and get a goal’.

“We played well and although it was a couple of scrappy goals, I think we deserved them in the end.”

Pinehurst climbed to the summit courtesy of a weekend off for Stratton Juniors, while third-placed Moredon lost ground after going down 2-0 at Haydon Wick, for whom Marc Bailey and Yasuhiro Ohno hit the net.

Although they can boast a 100 per cent record, Robertson does not think his side have been at their best so far this term and is hopeful they can kick on to be genuine challengers.

“I’m really excited about our season. I wouldn’t say we’ve hit the ground running but we’ve worked hard and that’s why the results have been coming,” said Robertson.

“If I am honest, I want to win the league this year but I know there are a couple of teams who want to do that too.

“I have got a young group and that’s really exciting because we are a community group too, so we’re building something for the future.”

Elsewhere, Marlborough Reserves thumped Swindon AFC 9-1, while Mark Holt hit a hat-trick, Adam Crawford and Matthew Kennedy bagged braces and Stuart Curran also netted in Lyneham’s 8-2 drubbing of Chiseldon, for whom Aron Smith and Luke Mitchell replied.

Like Pinehurst, Tawny Owl made it five wins from five in the Premier Division as Lewis Waldon’s double, Danny Cole and Scott Price saw off Sportz Central 4-0.

They are now three points clear at the summit after second-placed Swindon Spitfires were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Swindon Centurians. Joshua Ukoha and Samuel Long got Spits’ goals, with Paul Aust and Allan Hawthorne netting for Centurians.

Jason Hudson (two), Riccardo Serratore, Nick Harrison and Mark Adams hit the net as Bassett Bulldogs won 5-2 at Village Inn, for whom Roger Mundy’s double was in vain.

North Swindon remain bottom of the table after a 4-2 loss at Deers Leap, while FC Dorcan won 5-2 at Ramsbury.