Ely travelled to Wisbech St Marys for the Cambs Invitation quarter final with a number of regular players missing. Ben Mayhew came in to play in goal replacing the injured Harry Reynolds, whilst youngsters Finn Logan and Luke Mansfield both started as did club captain Jamie Alsop who is continuing his return from injury.

On a difficult playing surface route one was the first option for both sides in the early stages of the game. After 30 minutes the Wisbech centre back took down Luke Mansfield in the penalty area gaining Ely a penalty and the Wisbech player his second yellow card resulting in a red and Wisbech down to 10 men. Alex Theobald’s penalty was then saved by the Wisbech keeper.

Wisbech took the lead in the second half after Ben Mayhew dropped the ball into the path of a Wisbech attacker. Ely then started to make their extra man count and James Seymour equalised with 15 minutes left after a through ball from Lee Reed. Ely piled on the pressure but could not find a winner.

Wisbech battled bravely during extra time but in the second period Luke Mansfield was again fiouled in the box but this time Lee Reed sent the keeper the wrong way to give Ely the lead. Plenty of opportunities came for Ely to wrap up the game but chances were missed and Wisbech still posed a threat through their lively centre forwards. With 5 minutes remaining a free kick was won on the edge of the box and Jamie Alsop converted it off the underside of the bar.

Ely now progress to the semi-finals of the competition where they will face either Cambridge City, Soham Town Rangers or March/Camb Utd Development.

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