An April Kitchen double ensured Ely City Women delivered a superb performance to defeat previously unbeaten March Town United Women at the Demcom Stadium on Sunday.

On International Women’s Day, there was no better way to begin proceedings than with a competitive contest between two in-form sides. March arrived unbeaten and sitting second in the table, but it was the Robins who made the brighter start.

Ely have developed a reputation for fast openings to matches and once again they were quickly on the front foot. Treasure Nwanebu caused early problems for the visitors’ defence, well supported by last week’s goalscoring hero Geo Salles. Salles had the first opportunity of the afternoon after a well-weighted through ball from Tash Lane, but the chance was cleared away on the edge of the area.

The breakthrough came in just the sixth minute. Persistent work from Nwanebu saw her effort parried by the March goalkeeper, but Kitchen reacted quickest to tap home from close range and give Ely the early advantage.

Ely continued to dictate the tempo. Salles and Nwanebu forced March onto the back foot while Lane and Lou Harwood controlled the midfield battle.
At the other end, Ely’s defence - excellent in recent weeks - welcomed the return of skipper Ellie Cooper beside Kaci Gibson, and the back line once again proved organised and resilient.
The visitors attempted to respond down the flanks, but Beth Horsfield and Kerry Dyer combined well defensively to clear the danger.

The Robins nearly doubled their lead before the break. Nwanebu burst down the right and fired a dangerous cross across the face of goal, but it just evaded both Kitchen and the arriving Salles. March tried to go more direct late in the half, but Cooper and Gibson made key interceptions, while goalkeeper Lant Stevenson was alert to collect balls played over the top.

HT: Ely City Women 1-0 March Town United Women

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Ely moving the ball quickly and keeping March pinned back. Lane found space centrally and released substitute Chazza Murombo down the left; she cut inside and fired a shot that forced a good save from the Hares’ goalkeeper.

Despite Ely’s control, the defence remained alert; Cooper produced a vital header to clear a long ball aimed at the March striker, Gibson cut out an angled through ball, while Dyer showed great awareness to chase down a loose ball and prevent danger on the counter.

Kitchen and Salles both looked threatening as Ely continued to probe, but March held firm for a spell. However, Kitchen was not to be denied her second of the afternoon.
A quick throw from substitute Danni Youngs caught the visitors off guard. The ball reached Kitchen, who watched it bounce before brilliantly lifting a composed finish over the goalkeeper from 25 yards to make it 2-0.

Ely remained disciplined as the game drew towards its conclusion. Several defensive clearances and a quick intervention from Stevenson to sweep up behind the back line preserved the clean sheet. There was still time for Youngs to nearly add a third after a slick passing move released her through on goal, but her effort was parried onto the post and cleared off the line.

When the final whistle sounded, Ely were deserved winners after a dominant display in which March Town struggled really to create any clear-cut chances.
A fitting performance on International Women’s Day saw the Robins secure another impressive victory and continue their strong run of form.

FT: Ely City Women 2 - 0 March Town United Women

Team; Stevenson, Dyer, Cooper, Gibson, Horsfield, Chandler, Lane, Kitchen, Harwood, Selles, Nwanebu.
Subs: Youngs, Lupson, Cullen, Murombo

MediaTeam POTM: April Kitchen