The Whittlesford faithful again travelled in significant numbers buoyed by the promise of last Saturday’s performance, and by the memories, from last term, of excellent performances under the ‘bright’ lights of Somersham and Mildenhall. They were undeterred by the journey and £2 admission fee. I personally thought that this was going to be another good test to gauge if we could finish top of the second tier of the division (behind in no particular order CUP, Fulbourn, Hundon, Lakenheath and Littleport).
There were a number of squad changes as Conan, Shaun and Jim were unavailable. Tobinho relocated into the back three and Oli started in midfield. On the bench, Hesser and the prolific Ansell from the stiffs joined Leeinho. Ex-Whittlesford legend and current Ely 1st team boss Dennis Van Thunderbolt said ‘he was surprised at our decision to play 3-5-2 particularly given the pace the home side had up front’. Gareth, with a slip of the tongue suggested we were playing ‘a 3-5-3’, in hindsight this may have helped but probably not enough!
It has proven to be difficult report to write trying to get the correct balance between being (over) critical and reporting with honesty and integrity, something that was missing from the performance in my opinion. The Management had decided to treat this as a full rehearsal for the Club’s Christmas meal, after much debate and given some un-available ingredients they arrived at a buffet format. The formation and performance ensured that Ely helped themselves! The home side were the perfect hosts, and even got into the spirit by providing the stuffing. Fortunately, they sustained themselves on a basic one rather than going for the full and rich variety. That’s enough negative stuff, and so I will move on to the positives. Ely were superb!
In a worryingly slow and unenthusiastic start, the hosts dominated territorially, with possession and in winning the majority of challenges and second balls. However, the visitors had the first clear chance when Shrew played a ball through the middle, the Ely centre back could only deflect the ball into Shane’s path towards the left edge of the box. Shane chose to take the chance early and hit a left foot shot on the run; the slightly sliced effort finished high and wide of the left post. The hosts hit back and played some neat stuff but without any real end product. Tobinho then ambled across the pitch to collect a harmless ball unaware of the speeding striker on his shoulder. The Ely player then robbed Tobinho to cross from the right, and the ball bounced dangerously in the area. The usually dependable Dazzler then had two opportunities to clear the ball. Unfortunately, for the visitors the home side made no such mistake and smashed the ball into the net. The visitors then had a series of uncomfortably moments, firstly when Sam spilled the ball from a shot from distance and was fortunate to recover with the help of Tobinho as a striker reacted quickly to the rebound. The second when a ball was headed back into the danger area following a long throw to the far post, the resultant shot flew wildly over the bar. Sam then made a good save to his left to keep out a header from the top right corner after a good cross from the right by-line. The home side continued to have loads on space and the visitors were grateful that the shooting from distance was wasteful. The visitors were then gifted a lifeline when a long ball was allowed to bounce and Shrew burst onto the loose ball at pace and was fouled when he entered the box. The award of the penalty gave the ‘faithful’ more to worry about; however, Shane calmed their nerves and dispatched the ball comfortably. The home side hit back when a clever back heal to an out-swinging corner put the ball back into the six yard box and an Ely striker nodded the ball towards the top right corner. Fortunately, it was underpowered and Sam clawed the ball away. Just when the faithful thought we had got away with it Ely broke powerfully through the middle a couple of passes were exchanged in a move that cut through our defensive line with ease, and the Ely player finished calmly tucking the ball into the bottom right. Finally, the visitors almost arose from their collective coma. Shouey hit a corner low and hard (for once managing to keep it in the opposition’s half) to the near post, the defender scuffed his clearance and both Marlon and Shane had point blank efforts blocked by the home keeper. Minutes later Dazzler put in a typical run and superb cross from the right, Marlon beat his marker to the ball. His near post header was destined for the top left but the keeper pulled off an excellent save to his left.
Half –time – 2 v 1 – I let the initial rush to the bar and tea bar calm down before I went for my beverage. I had just got my money out when Enricho appeared, talk about timing!
There was a low key but even start to the second half. The visitors created a couple of half chances down the left. Shrew skipping past his full back before cutting back the ball for Martin, on the left apex of the box, his powerful drive was blocked and the rebound hit him squarely in the chest before possession was lost. Shrew again beat his marker but his shot cum cross flew across the face. Early optimism however evaporated when a good Ely move down the right was finished off with a superb cross and a header (with a bit of shoulder) from the spot into the top left. The home side then enjoyed a superb spell where they were almost continually stretching the visitors on the break. Only a couple of poor shots, a good save from Sam following deep cross to the far post and an Ely player hitting the post when one on one with the keeper kept the score at 3-1. Weeman and Marlon then exchanged passes before Weeman fired wide from about twenty-five yards. Sam then had to scramble to keep out an in-swinging corner from the left. The fourth goal arrived when Ely again broke quickly and with purpose through the middle of the visitors defence and topped it with a good finish. The match ended with Ely taking pot shots for fun, a couple just drifting just over the top and the best chance being slammed against the bar with the goal at the attacker’s mercy.
Supporters MoM – A difficult choice but the winner was Ali. |
