North Greenford United's 2-1 victory against high flying Colliers Wood United ended a run of three games without a win to put the Berkeley Avenue club back on track in the Combined Counties League, writes Patrick Hillier.

They ended the weekend in sixth place with 23 points from 13 games, only five fewer than leaders Camberley Town and with a game in hand.

The way the players responded to a 4-1 defeat to Banstead in their previous game will have done a great deal to restore the team's confidence and self-belief.

Saturday's game got off to a flying start. With just three minutes played United had a loud penalty appeal turned down when striker Liam Bird appeared to be held back by Woods keeper Tony Oval inside the visitors' box.

But United's opening goal came soon after. Bird's strike partner Andre DeLisser was first to a Chris Hibbs corner and his header found the back of the net through a crowd of players.

Not for the first time this season, a defensive error undid the good work. What appeared to be a fairly innocuous long ball was not cleared and impressive midfielder Ramzi Bedj-Bedj capitalised on the mistake, giving United keeper Gary Jallow no chance with a fierce drive into the corner.

For the remainder of the first period the game became a little scrappy with moves frequently breaking down as both teams tried to gain the ascendancy. Apart from a good chance that fell to DeLisser on 20 minutes, real scoring opportunities were rare.

North Greenford raised their game at the beginning of the second half and within 10 minutes of the resumption had regained their lead.

Sean Hillier, showing persistence out on the right, played a fine ball into the box, and after an initial shot had been blocked, DeLisser was again first to the loose ball and he drove through the Colliers Woods defence to score from close range for his second of the game.

United came close to extending their lead on several occasions with Jack Bennett coming closest to adding a third when he got on the end of another fine Hillier delivery, only to see his exquisite chip rebound off the crossbar.

The visitors also had their opportunities to get back into the game but were thwarted by two brilliant saves from Jallow, one with his feet, the other diving to his right to push a BedjBedj shot round the post.

Woods best chance came on 70 minutes. With Jallow stranded, it looked inevitable that striker Yito Narcisse, with an empty net ahead of him, would level the scores, but United's Jamie Diston got back to put in a fantastic match-winning tackle that was as good as a goal.

Diston's determination and commitment epitomised the spirit shown by the entire United team and a similar performance will be needed this week when Epsom & Ewell, a side currently unbeaten and lying second in the Combined Counties Premier League, arrive at Berkeley Fields.

Last Saturday was a good day for the club all round as a Ben Adams goal on the stroke of half time was enough to break a disappointing run of three consecutive defeats for the reserves.