Highgate United 1
Ellesmere Rangers 2
ELLESMERE'S third victory this season was soured by a serious injury to their defender Ian Rowlands which delayed the game by 30 minutes.
The second half was only ten minutes old when, whilst heading a ball clear in mid-air, he collided with the opposing centre half's elbow and was knocked out cold.
After on-field attention he was taken by ambulance to hospital, where he was diagnosed with whiplash, a broken nose and severe bruising to the right eye.
The game was only minutes old when a cross into the box by Kevin Renshaw was narrowly put wide by the outstretched foot of Danny Barton.
Highgate went straight up to the other end and took a quick throw-in which caught the Ellesmere defence napping and forward Liam Flory tapped home from close range to give Highgate the lead.
The rest of the half was probably Ellesmere's worst 45 minutes of the season as they struggled to get their passing game going.
The second half was only ten minutes old when, after the delay for Rowlands injury, a double substitution by manager Matt Burton brought on forwards Gary Meredith and Kenny Paul.
This had an immediate effect with Meredith causing the Highgate defence problems which got Ellesmere on the front foot and it was not long before a through pass from Eddie Hope found Meredith who slotted the ball past the advancing keeper - only to be ruled off side.
Ellesmere were not to be denied when a penetrating run down the line by the other substitute Kenny Paul forced a corner off which a frantic melee in the box which saw first Meredith hit the bar while the follow-up by Andy Ford was parried by the keeper to Barton who slotted home the equaliser.
Ellesmere were now camped in the Highgate half and with ten minutes to go a long throw into the box was flicked on yet again by Meredith to the back post where Eddie Hope stooped to head over the line.
The result now lifts Ellesmere up to fifth, a magnificent start to the campaign.
Ellesmere have a break from league duties this week because next Saturday September 4 they entertain Kirby Muxloe in the FA Vase. Kick-off 3pm.