Nathan Jenkins first half strike was enough to secure Hartpury FC’s fifth consecutive win, defeating Westbury United 1-0 on Saturday.
The Acorns made it nine games unbeaten at the 4ED Hartpury Stadium and moved to within six points of the Southern League Div One South play-off spots.
Westbury started the better of the two sides, but it was the Acorns who broke the deadlock on six minutes, when Seth Locke’s long ball fell to Jenkins who guided the ball into the far corner with the outside of his boot.
The Acorns grew into the half and tested Westbury goalkeeper, Joel Butler on 17 minutes through a Louis Manning set piece effort.
Cole Fleming went close for the visitors on 21 minutes, but his curling effort flew straight at Locke, in the Acorns goal.
Billy Osborn saw a close ranged effort cannon off the bar on 32 minutes, before Butler had deny his own player turning home an Acorns second with a terrific save, two minutes later.
Drew Robinson tried his luck on 36 minutes but saw a distanced effort fly over the bar, taking the Acorns into the break 1-0 up.
HALF TIME – HARTPURY FC 1-0 WESTBURY UNITED
Westbury came out fighting in the second period but were denied an early chance through a Locke save after the Acorns goalkeeper had ventured a long way from his goal on 49 minutes.
Jenkins had the Acorns first chance of the half, on 55 minutes, when his effort from distance flew straight at the Westbury goalkeeper, after the goalscorer had beaten three men in the process.
Locke was called into action again on 91 minutes when he produced an important one-on-one save to deny Ryan Boyle, moments before Jenkins hooked a Boyle header off the line.
Westbury threw everything at the Acorns late on but pure resilience from the home side secured a seventh game unbeaten another important three points.
The Acorns will look to further this incredible form, yet again, when we take the long trip to Brixham next Saturday.
FULL TIME – HARTPURY FC 1-0 WESTBURY UNITED
STARTING XI: Locke (GK), Kent, Robinson, Callow, Roney, Jenkins (Machisa 85’), Aldridge (Sims 83’), Manning (Silva 52’), Coates, Osborn © (Sanniola 80’), Prifti (Shyamapant 71’)
