It was a story of new and returning heroes for Ollerton Town on Saturday, as they put an end to a run of eight successive defeats, beating AFC Phoenix by five goals to three.

Debutant Aaron Blakemore made an instant impact, scoring twice, whilst Adam Scott and Ashley McEwan both scored for the first time since their respective returns to the club. Meanwhile Harvey Limb scored his fifth of the season to round off the scoring.

It has been a tough few months for Lee Cook's side. Before Saturday, you had to go back to the 12th October for their last win versus Hatfield, and in that time they have lost several key players to injury, suspension and transfer to other clubs. In fact, only five of the squad who took on Phoenix were also in the squad to face Hatfield, such is the rebuild which has taken place over the past few weeks.

It was one of those five, Charlie Reece, who was involved in the game's first big moment, conceding a soft-looking penalty after just five minutes. Joel Bradshaw stepped up to take the spot kick for the hosts, and calmly found the bottom corner to give them a 1-0 advantage.

That lead was short-lived however as Ollerton drew level in the 11th minute. A neat passing move ended with Harvey Limb crossing in from the right, and his ball found the head of Aaron Blakemore who stooped to head home his first goal for the club.

Ollerton soon took control of proceedings and had chances to go in front, Limb seeing his effort saved well after being played through on goal.

The Town, in their striking blue and yellow away kit, then hit the woodwork. Blakemore beat the Phoenix keeper to a ball over the top, and from the right wing, his cross-cum-shot struck the face of the bar with Limb waiting in the middle.

An Ollerton second seemed inevitable and it arrived in the 40 minute. Ashley McEwan's corner caused chaos inside the box, and whilst Phoenix did well to clear it off the line twice in quick succession, they could not deny Limb who eventually turned the ball home from close range.

A one goal lead at half time would have had Ollerton comfortable, but there was still time before the break for them to add a third and take real control of the contest. A defensive mix up at the back left the Phoenix keeper stranded, and presented McEwan with the opportunity to roll the ball into the empty net from 18 yards, with what proved to be the last kick of the half.

Despite a strong end to the opening 45, Ollerton started the second period slowly and saw their advantaged halved within two minutes. Louis Seddon was able to poke the ball past 'keeper Josh Watson from inside the area after finding a way past the Ollerton defensive line.

That goal could have rocked Ollerton and swung the momentum of the game back towards the hosts, but The Town rallied well and soon reclaimed control of proceedings.

They went 4-2 in front in the 58th minute. McEwan's quick thinking from a free kick left Adam Scott in space down the left, and he dinked a cross over to the back post where Blakemore was waiting to head home his second of the game from a few yards out.

Ollerton's fifth arrived just minutes later in fantastic style. After beating the home offside trap, the ball fell to Scott 20 yards out and he had the vision and technique to superbly lob the 'keeper with a first time finish with the outside of his foot, which secured his first Ollerton Town goal since the 4th February 2023.

It was comfortable for Ollerton, for the most part, though Phoenix were clearly not going to go down without a fight, and Reece had to be in the right place at the right time to clear off the line in the 76th minute.

Though Ollerton would've taken a win by any margin before the game, they would've still felt some disappointment that they allowed Phoenix to eventually score a consolation third goal. An 80th minute corner was swept past the dive of Watson and into the far corner by Rhys Topham.

That was the last of the goal mouth action with Ollerton securing a deserved, and much needed, three points to set up them up nicely for the New Year and a tough-looking game next Saturday against AFC Bentley.