Ely City came out on top in the first Fen Classico of the season as they progressed into the second round of the League Cup.
Both teams came into the game with Saturday wins, as well as making several changes in their line ups due to either rotation or in-forced due to injuries.

It was Ely who started quicker on a slick surface that had withstood the torrential days of downpours, with Tom Stoker and Jack Friend pulling just wide.
The home side took the lead though on their first attack, with Jackaman feeding Iron into the channel who cut inside and beat Harry Sutton in the Ely goal.
Within 2 minutes the Robins instantly replied, great play from Az Hamer and Alex Kerr found Antwan Ebanks—Blake on the right side of the area and he placed home for 1-1.

The next half an hour was both teams mixing it up in the midfield, limited chances both ends, until Stoker robbed his man in the last third, crossing for Friend and his lay off found Ebanks-Blake to slide in his second.
Within minutes again though, the home side thought they were on sight for an equaliser with a rasping shot from Jackaman; but a remarkable one handed save from Sutton was palmed away for a corner!
Ely could have made it 3 on the stroke of half time, firstly Joe Brannan saw his shot tipped wide and then Ebanks-Blake saw the Soham keeper again block well.
Entertaining half ends 2-1 to the visitors!

Right from the whistle Ely press where they left off from the first 45, as quick play from Ebanks-Blake and Hamer see’s Stoker wiggle through, a heavy touch allows Soham’s keeper to block but is recycled to Jack Friend who volleys home to the joy of the away fans behind the goal!

As the game started to stretch, fouls and stoppages were breaking up the game and both managers shook the sides up with changes. But on the hour mark, it was 2 goals in 3 minutes that settled it as a contest if hadn’t already, as Dom Hunt glanced a header on goal- and between Soham’s Gent and Ely’s Brannan, the ball ended in the back of the net. Straight from the kick off, a Soham attack was instantly cut out by Alfie Rogers and skipper Dom Hunt with their clearance over the top eluding Gent and Friend nipped in behind to go through on goal. The recovering Gent and Harvey between them caught Friend, who ended up on his front, the ref pointing to the spot. Ebanks-Blake sealed his impressive performance and hat-trick with little doubt as Ely led 5-1 with still under half hour to play. Soham tired and Ely closed out the game easily, with Greens keeper keeping out Alex Theobold, Stoker and Toby Lawal.

Full time whistle went and Ely win 5-1.

Ely could have had easily another 2-3 in the second half which wouldn’t have flattered them, but for the Soham keeper.
Ely progress in the cup, Antwan takes the match ball, the battle of the A142 is decided and the Fens are Red until the next instalment on Boxing Day!

Next up, league action with Cornard United at Home Saturday, where another 3 points is up for grabs!

Team- Sutton; Cook, Hunt (c), Brannan, Rogers, Kerr; Camara, Hamer; Ebanks-Blake, Stoker, Friend.
Subs; Mitchell, Ashman, Tagg, Theobold.

Words by Chris and Photo by Gary