Colaton Raleigh 6, Elmore 3 The Raleigh season reached new heights as they put recently crowned divisional champions Elmore to the sword in a midweek encounter.

Raleigh took an early lead when Mark Pavey crossed from the right for player-boss Riki Pitter to bury a full length diving header.

Chances came thick and fast for both teams, before the Elmore centre forward produced a quality finish to Raleigh keeper Adrian Parr.

Raleigh responded well and deservedly regained the lead when Mark Tett played Pavey in and he rounded the keeper to send Raleigh into the break 2-1 to the good.

The first ten minutes of the second half saw Raleigh fashion four clear cut chances, only to see the Elmore glovesman make a series of fantastic stops.

He thwarted both Pavey and Pitter twice before finally being beaten by Pavey from 10-yards out.

Elmore reduced the arrears midway through the period and this led to a change for Raleigh with substitute Jake Boyland making a welcome return after four weeks out with injury.

Boyland made an immediate impact with a display of clinical finishing, scoring a 15-minute hat-trick!

Two of his goals came from Damo Armes assists.

A third Elmore goal in the final minute made the score line slightly more respectable for the visitors, but rampant Raleigh were brilliant throughout, and fully deserved this emphatic victory against a very good team.

Delighted boss Pitter said: “We have been aiming for a top six finish all season, and with six league games left to play, we can still have an influence on the battle for promotion.”