Ely started the game sprightly knocking the ball around nicely. A far cry from the last couple of weeks and was good to see. The positive play from Ely resulted in their full back Reece Jolly being took down high up the pitch, the only way Wilbrahams could deal with the pressure being created from the attacking Ely side.
With the ball placed a few yards outside the box, up steps Elys newly appointed free kick taker and captain, Ross Gray. The ball sails over the Wilbrahams wall and bends into net to make it 2 free kick goals in 2 for the Captain and 1 – 0 to Ely on the day.
After the goal its seemed as though Ely took their foot off the gas as Wilbrahams pushed for an equaliser. Although not creating many chances, Elys CBs had a lot of loose through balls to deal with. Caleb Maclure showing determination to keep the lead and in turn taking some of the more hefty challenges as Wilbrahams try to make something of their attacks.
At this point Wilbrahams found a bit of space and blasted the ball at goal only for GK Sam Males to tip it over the bar. Unbelievable reflex save to keep Ely ahead. Sadly the joy was short lived as Wilbrahams swing the ball in from the corner and find the back of the net through a solid header, 1 – 1 right on the half time whistle.
Unfortunately, Ely came out from the half time talk and it all looks much the same despite some analysing about what was going wrong. Ely made a few subs and position changes for others to try and mix it up. It wasn’t long, though, until the Wilbrahams attacker somehow dances around 2 or 3 of the Ely players and takes a snap shot from outside the box, which goes low and under the Ely GK.
You can feel the frustration building. With the last 10 minutes to play, a few more position changes seemed to pay off. Ely started playing the ball around nicely again, getting on the edge of the Wilbrahams box time after time. The balls are coming in from all angles.
With some nifty footwork from substitute Harrison Platt he finds himself in behind the Wilbrahams defence but the ball smashes off the topside of the cross bar. Feeling like that may have been the moment, James Gillett now at right wing back, charges up the line and cuts the ball back to Tom Goodjohn who sent the defender but cant finish his chance either. Its all Ely at this point.
In the dying minutes Ross Gray finds Goodjohn again who its absolutely clattered over in the box, a real last ditch attempt from the Wilbrahams defender which looked very clumsy as cries for a penalty ring out all over the pitch. Goodjohn stays down for some time but the ref is having none of it.
The game ends and with that also ends AFC Elys unbeatable run. Wilbrahams 2 – 1 AFC Ely.
MOTM goes to Tino Mbavarira for a solid work rate and some good hold up play in the middle. AFC Ely look to kick off their cup run at home to Bassingbourne next week at Witchford Village College.
Press release from AFC Ely
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