WINTERBOURNE....2

LONGWELL........... 0

Winterbourne United won a crucial top of the table clash to pull away from second place Longwell Green.

The visitors started the match with the wind with them in the first half but it was Winterbourne who had to defend against the conditions and the threat from the visitors.

Longwell started strongly and created several early chances with the best opportunity falling to the league's top scorer Jamie Chamberlain but his attempt was blocked by Joe Bennett.

Winterbourne took the lead when they were awarded a penalty after a clumsy challenge on striker Ben Davis. The penalty was despatched by captain Toby Griffin.

Winterbourne had the wind with them in the second half and they played the conditions better than their visitors did in the first half.

Longwell didn’t really test the home defence in the second half as they struggled playing against the wind.

Winterbourne extended their lead when returning centre-back Kieran Sullivan playing his first game of the season timed his run to perfection when a he met a Kieran Joseph free-kick into the box with a thumping header past the stranded keeper.

The remainder of the match saw the home team create several half chances as they held on for the win which sees them go seven points clear and remain undefeated.