STEVE Riley labelled goalkeeper David Elm “a Bashley legend” after his superb performance at Hemel saw him rack up 100 clean sheets for the Southern League outfit.

Bash boss Riley also praised striker Mike Spinney’s “phenomenal work-rate” up front as goals from Ryan Hill and Dave Allen sealed their third win in a row.

Victory lifted the New Forest side into the top half of the table.

Hill broke the deadlock three minutes before the break with a 30-yard free-kick, before Allen doubled their advantage with a deflected shot 30 seconds into the second-half.

Riley, who brought Hill and Allen back to the club from Dorchester Town last month, said: “We have assembled a squad that is getting its confidence together as a unit.

“The work-rate from Mike up front was phenomenal. He must have covered every blade of grass.

“He’s so efficient. He holds the ball up well and it gives our midfielders the chance to join in our attacks. It works so well.

“Elmo completed his 100th clean sheet for the club (in 348 starts since 2001-02) and he’s another tower of strength.

“I wouldn’t swap him for anyone.

“Everything about him and his presence in goal is brilliant.

“Even when he hasn’t had anything to do in a game, he still produces the goods when called upon.

“In this match, he had to pull off a great save with 10 minutes to go.

“It just gives us confidence when he’s there. He’ll go down as a Bashley legend.”

Riley, who is hoping to have striker Mark Gamble back in his squad later this month once he has recovered from an ankle injury, added: “Joe Collins was unlucky at Hemel.

“He got himself booked in the seventh minute with a bit of a rash challenge.

“I don’t know him that well as a player and with another challenge like that he could have been sent off.

“We couldn’t risk that, so I took him off at half-time. It was nothing to do with his performance, which was good.”

Bash: Elm, R Hill, Oliver, Middleton, Whitley, Knowles, T Hill, Dave Allen, Spinney, Smith, Collins (Dominic Allen, h-t). Unused subs: Ferrett, Brookes, Riley, Prodomo.