Matt's finish gives Elmer hope for 2012

Avisford’s combative style caused Elmer problems early on.

But Elmer pressure paid off when, under a barrage of Jamie Hambidge throws, Joe Ansell got on to a flick-on to prod the ball past the impressive Stuart Gibbons.

They doubled their lead when Hope found skipper Sam Pullen, who unleashed a powerful shot into the top corner from 25 yards.

The referee cautioned players from both sides. Elmer had a strong start to the second half with Hope scoring twice in a minute, set up by ‘Solo’ Solski and James Cane.

Avisford skipper Martin Geall profited from a defensive error to crash the ball past Alix Brennan on 57 minutes.

But a comeback was snuffed out by Hope as he gathered the ball inside his own half, rounded four opponents and restored Elmer’s four goal-advantage.

Geall made it 5-2 but with 14 minutes left Hope set up Solski to strike the best goal of the game from more than 30 yards.

More robust challenges led to the referee losing control.

Gibbons denied Elmer a number of times late on. The finest save came from Brennan in the final minutes when he denied Geall his hat-trick with a fingertip save.