Ely City returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 2- 1 victory over Kirkley & Pakefield, as two goals in five second half minutes gave the Robins a hold in the game.
The Robins settled quickly into the opening quarter of the first half and enjoyed plenty of early possession. Jev Cook’s deep cross inside the opening minutes tested the Kirkley keeper who lost the ball in the sunlight - but Aaron Hamer couldn't connect to prod home. Sam Townshend was then unlucky to not find an opening after Jack Friend found him in the channel, Townshend's effort parried over by the away side's Stopper.

Chances followed in quick succession. Townshend again went close after neat link-up play with Leon Fulianty and the clever Joe Tarpey, while Hamer saw a well-struck effort parried away after another incisive through ball. Ely looked confident and composed in their possession, though the visitors remained a threat on the counter.

Despite Ely’s control, Kirkley had moments late in the half, forcing Newton into action with a good close range parry, before their midfielder smashed way over after a corner was cleared. Rob Ruddy and Alfie Rogers headed ariel balls away, with on loan debutant Ed Tassell making a crucial block on a through ball. The Robins went into the break level at 0–0, knowing their early dominance should have deserved more.

HT: Ely City 0-0 Kirkley & Pakefield

The second half couldn’t have started better. Just five minutes after the restart, Ely broke the deadlock. A hopeful ball into the box was flicked on by Rogers towards Friend, and under pressure the Kirkley defender could only nod back towards his goal. A slip from the keeper did the rest as the ball diverted past his grasp and into the next, and the Robins were in front.

Four minutes later, the lead was doubled. A deep corner to the far post found Hamer, who stooped bravely to head home and send the Ely faithful into celebration. A dream start to the half had put Ely firmly in control at 2–0. But Kirkley responded on the hour mark, capitalising on a long throw and a ball in behind the Ely defence. Their forward ghosted inside and finished confidently under the advancing Newton to halve the deficit and set up a tense final half-hour.

The visitors tried to keep their momentum and pushed hard for an equaliser, Newton producing a stunning close range one-handed save on 67 minutes to deny a clear chance before smothering away the rebound. Ely were forced to dig deep as Kirkley went more direct, but led at the back by the experience of Ruddy, who stood tall and dominant in the air as the game went more direct also with some important clearances.

As pressure mounted, the Robins refreshed their side with Harry Biggs and the returning loanee Jordan Chipps entering the fray, before Charlie Sutcliffe replaced Townshend late on. Ely continued to threaten on the break, with Friend narrowly missing the target after good work from Fulianty and the again impressive Tarpey.

Deep into stoppage time, Ruddy again rose to a deep ball heading and volleying away a dangerous delivery to preserve the lead, before Rogers intercepted comfortably, ushering out the advancing forward for a goal kick as the whistle end the game.

A dominating first half half from the Robins, who came out quickly to get two early second half goals, but with a gutsy Kirkley onslaught, they pulled a goal back and added pressure to the Robins who held on with some excellent control in the latter minutes of the game.

FT: Ely City 2 - 1 Kirkley & Pakefield
Team; Newton, Cook, Hamer, Rogers, Ruddy, Tassell, Fulianty, Brown, Friend (C), Townshend, Tarpey.
Substitutes; Biggs, Rigby, Allan, Sutcliffe, Chipps.

POTM: Joe Tarpey