Thurlow Nunn Premier Stowmarket Town 4 Ely City 2 Josh Mayhew scored four goals as Stowmarket Town edged past Ely City 4-2 to stretch their unbeaten run to seven games, writes Alex Moss.

East Anglian Daily Times: Josh Mayhew scores from the penalty spot for Stowmarket. Picture: RICHARD MARSHAMJosh Mayhew scores from the penalty spot for Stowmarket. Picture: RICHARD MARSHAM (Image: Richard Marsham - RMG Photography Tel - 07798 758711)

Mayhew struck twice inside the opening 20 minutes to put Stow in control, before Ely hit back with a brace from Sam Goodge either side of half time to level the contest.

Stow responded with Mayhew completing his hat-trick on the hour mark to put the hosts back in front, and the striker grabbed his fourth of the afternoon 13 minutes from time to complete the win.

The deadlock was broken with just seven minutes on the clock, as Mayhew raced onto Luke Read’s ball over the Ely defence and lobbed visiting goalkeeper Harry Reynolds to open his account for the day.

After shots from Amar Lewis and Ollie Brown brought saves out of Reynolds, Stow doubled their advantage on 20 minutes. Brown was tripped in the box and a penalty was awarded, which Mayhew confidently dispatched to reach the 20-goal mark for the season.

East Anglian Daily Times: Stowmarket's Ollie Brown on the run. Picture: RICHARD MARSHAMStowmarket's Ollie Brown on the run. Picture: RICHARD MARSHAM (Image: Richard Marsham - RMG Photography Tel - 07798 758711)

The visitors hauled themselves back into the game just before half time, as the returning Nathan Clarke was penalised for a foul in the box and Goodge sent James Bradbrook the wrong way from the spot to halve the deficit on 43 minutes.

Ely then got back on level terms three minutes into the second half, as substitute Nick Heap’s cross was met by Goodge at the near post and he beat Bradbrook with a header into the opposite corner to cancel out the home side’s lead.

Stow rallied after being pegged back and regained their advantage on the hour mark when Mayhew completed his hat-trick from close range. Dave Cowley, making his home debut, created the chance which saw the ball fall to Mayhew in front of goal to fire past Reynolds.

With 13 minutes to go the hosts restored their two-goal cushion, and it was arguably the pick of the goals. Angelo Harrop sent Remi Garrett running down the left wing and a neat one-two between him and Cowley saw the latter cross for Mayhew to head home to make it 4-2.

East Anglian Daily Times: New signing Dave Cowley on the attack for Stow. Picture: RICHARD MARSHAMNew signing Dave Cowley on the attack for Stow. Picture: RICHARD MARSHAM (Image: Richard Marsham - RMG Photography Tel - 07798 758711)