An overnight stay at a local hotel was the best preparation the Nailers squad could have wished for, but on a breezy afternoon with constant rain throughout, the hosts threatened to spoil it with a dominant first half display.

Manager Grant Black selected the same starting line up that beat Sporting Khalsa in midweek, and there was a welcome return to fitness for Ben Rhodes who was named as a substitute.

A tentative opening few minutes turned almost to panic as Soham took the Nailers by surprise forcing three corners in as many minutes.

Declan Rodgers threatened to burst the net with a fiercely driven effort from the third set piece but Nailers’ stopper Ollie Batterby manage to get a fist to the shot and knock the ball away.

Craig Nelthorpe produced another fine display full of running and endeavour, and his free kick in the 9th minute caused the hosts their first problems of the game.

Ben Seymour-Shove was a livewire for Soham and he caused many problems for Tom Wilson and a stream of crosses from the Rangers’ winger caused the Nailers defence many anxious moments.

Ben Seymour-Shove, nearly opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a classy turn and shot that came to nothing, however the Nailers finally showed some positive intent in the 19th minute when they broke away and Jonathon Margetts nearly caught the ‘keeper out at his near post.

Rogers tested the Belper stopper with another fierce effort in the 21st minute, but Battersby made a superb save from a Seymour-Shove free kick that took a wicked deflection, sending the ‘keeper initially one way before he twisted the other way and punched the ball clear.

An underwhelming first half ended with a Nelthorpe shot that went well wide, but the Nailers were happy to go to the break without having conceded.

The second half was much different to the first, as the Nailers took the initiative from the start.

Early pressure on the Soham goal paid off when Brodie Litchfield’s drive was deflected in by Alex Peterson to give the Nailers a 49th minute advantage.

Belper made the most of their superiority by netting a second goal on 63 minutes.
Craig Nelthorpe did well to drive a left wing cross into the mix where Jonathon Margetts was on hand to fire the ball into the net and from then on the result was never in doubt.

Nathan Curtis was unfortunate not to score following a penetrating solo run on 69 minutes, and 3 minutes later Margetts was through on goal but saw his effort come back off the post.

He was through again moments later but from a tighter angle hit the side netting, and Alex Peterson also found the angle too acute in the 80th minute.

A much improved second half enabled Belper to emerge victorious and make it three wins from three games.

Belper Town: Battersby, Wilson (Woodcock 30), Beejer, Bertram (Curtis 37), South, Jordan, Litchfield, Mancinelli, Peterson, Margetts, Nelthorpe (Sandhu 83). Unused sub: Rhodes

Soham Town Rangers: Iron, Sulman, Olive, Okey, Groves, Watson, Carden (Auger 80), Kaye, Rogers, Mulready, Seymore-Shove (Ward 61). Unused sub: Mason

Referee: Alistair Wilson

Attendance: 112