Looking to get into the final to defend their trophy from last year, City made 2 changes from last weeks win over Wisbech St Mary.
Alfie Rogers came in from the 1st team, Daniel Carvalho returned, and the impressive Oskaras Urbonas again kept his place.
In a scrappy start, ‘Press’ produced a couple of chances with Jamie Baxter and Carvalho defending well for the Robins. No clear cut chances troubled either Keeper, before on 25 minutes Ely opened the scoring. After Woodbine was fouled on the far side, Fin Logan’s pinpoint free kick fell to Sammy Townshend, his initial contact was blocked and Baxter fired in the rebound for 1-0.
Urbonas, dropping in behind the experienced Heron, started to find his feet and drew another couple of fouls as the game was broken up by the officials whistle.
Ely had a couple of chances to double their lead before the break. First Townshend couldn’t connect as a the Press keeper fumbled a cross, then Urbonas curled just wide.
Second half, and Press came out the quicker. They strung together some possession and working off the left, the ball wasn’t dealt with on the edge and former Lakenheath man Matty Hayden smashed home from 18 yards to draw CUP level.
That kicked the Robins in to life, as three goals in 11 second half minutes killed off the game. On the hour mark, after great work from James MacCabe, Heron was played in behind. He shrugged off two defenders and smashed past the keeper from the edge of the box. His second and Ely’s third came 3 minutes later, when a corner was palmed out to Heron on the edge of the D and he cooly lifted it over the top of the players and keeper, under the bar into the net. Sub Luke Mansfield on 71 minutes put to bed the tie, after the impressive Urbonas played him into the left channel. Mansfield bent his run and left foot curled it first time past the keeper for 4-1.
The game started to peter out, as more fouls saw a couple of CUP bookings. The Press side had imploded after they had brought themselves level, and sealed it when their 8 was sent off for a second booking. There was still time for Conor Loker to go close, but fell over the ball and the Townshend and CUP’s keeper had handbags before the ref drew close to the game to confirm the Ely Reserves a final place!

Excellent from the Reserves, who blew away their league counterparts in the second half. A game plan executed as they join the 1st team and the Ladies in a senior county final treble for the first time in the clubs history!

XI Murfitt, Carvalho, Baxter, Rogers, Jeffery, Urbonas, MacCabe, Logan, Woodbine, Heron, S.Townshend.
Subs; Challis, Slane, Loker, Ashman, Mansfield.

POTM; James MacCabe
Chris Gibson