A STERN word from manager Graham Dunn saw Penhill United turn over a 2-0 deficit at half-time to beat Coleshill Youth 7-3 at home.

The hosts, who are top of the Swindon Sunday League Division One were back in action after two weeks but made a slow start to the contest.

After falling two behind to their title rivals, manager Dunn admitted he thought it might have not been his day before his side’s superb second-half showing.

Jack Allan led the comeback for the home side with a hat-trick, while Arran Wellard scored two, in addition to solitary efforts from Shane Davis and Charlie Gillet.

“The game wasn’t as comprehensive as the scoreline sounds. We were 2-0 down at half-time and we were very poor,” said Dunn.

“None of the players played well, but after half-time they played well and turned it around. It was awesome.

“I’m not sure what it was that caused us to have a slow start, I don’t know whether we had the wrong attitude or that we thought it would be easier than what it was.

“The passing wasn’t good enough and they weren’t talking to each other, but I had a strong word with them at half-time and I think it worked.

“I can’t fault anyone in the second half, they were all brilliant.

“We had the chances to score in the first half, but we just couldn’t put the ball in the net which made me think it was going to be one of those days.”

Penhill have only conceded three goals on four occasions so far this term, but that doesn’t mean Dunn is happy with the defensive side of the game.

The league leaders have failed to record a clean sheet in their last six outings, which is something the manager wants to work on.

“It’s been a while since we got a clean sheet, and it’s been a while since we conceded three goals,” he said.

“We have a bit of a break now and then we are in the quarter-finals of both cup competitions.

“We are half way through the season and we are happy, we are top of the league and in two cup competitions so it is all going well.”

Elsewhere in Division One, AFC Freshbrook put in a five-star performance away from home as they picked up a convincing 5-3 win over Rodbourne Real.

FC Walcot came through their Knockout Cup clash with AFC Mannington, collecting an 8-1 win to progress to the next round of the competition.

Only two fixtures managed to beat the freeze in Division Two as Nationwide lost 3-2 at home to Save on Tyres Athletic, while Royal Wootton Bassett Town and Highworth Town Sunday played out a 2-2 draw.

Aaron Dainton and Callum Hall were on target for Bassett.

Division Three’s Charles Geddes hit double figures in a 10-1 victory away to The Abbey Mead, while Chiseldon Sunday held on for a 3-2 win over visitors Sevenfield United.