On a sunny but blustery afternoon at the Demcom Stadium, it was a contest that never truly flowed but didn't lack the intensity or typical derby tension in a tetchy affair.

Ely started the sharper of the two sides and nearly took the lead inside the opening exchanges. A well-worked move down the right saw James Moore test Soham goalkeeper Josh Pope, who produced a strong save before denying Sam Townshend on the follow-up. It set the tone for much of the first half, with Ely enjoying more possession and creating the clearer openings.

Soham, however, remained a constant threat with a direct approach, looking to turn the Ely back line and capitalise on the difficult conditions. Alfie Rogers stood firm in defence, winning a key physical battle with Soham's Max Rose to snuff out one such attack, while Jenkins provided Ely’s main outlet off the right, repeatedly finding space.

Chances remained at a premium. Tom Rigby came closest for the hosts with a curling effort that drifted just wide in the swirling wind, while Soham’s best opportunity saw a first-time strike fly narrowly over after a partial clearance.
With the referee kept busy managing a physical encounter- booking Partridge late in the half - the sides went in level at the break, Ely perhaps the more frustrated of the two.

HT: Ely City 0-0 Soham Town Rangers

The decisive moment arrived early in the second half. Just four minutes after the restart, Ely made their pressure count. A dangerous delivery into the box caused problems, with Moore and Townshend both involved with shots cleared off the line in succession before the loose ball looped up to Jenkins, who headed in past the despairing reach of Pope, via the post to give the Robins a deserved lead.
The goal lifted the tempo, with Soham forced to chase the game. The visitors pushed forward with greater urgency, but Ely’s defence stood resolute. Rob Ruddy was particularly impressive, producing a crucial block before recovering to clear under pressure as Soham looked to force a way back into the contest.

Ely looked to manage the game in the closing stages as it remained tense., introducing fresh legs as Jack Friend and Harry Biggs entered the action. The Robins defended deep at times but did so effectively, with Partridge, Rogers and again the impressive Ruddy forming a solid defensive unit to repel Soham’s advances.

Soham’s set-pieces failed to trouble the hosts in the latter stages- one free-kick sailing well over from Mason Newman summed up a frustrating afternoon for the visitors- while Ely showed composure in possession when it mattered most, running down the clock in the final minutes.
Despite late pressure in stoppage time, Ely held firm to secure all three points and give their play off chances greater hope.

Team: Newton, Hamer, Kerr, Rogers, Partridge (C), Ruddy, Tarpey, Rigby, Jenkins, Townshend, Moore.
Subs: Biggs, Sutcliffe, Friend, Allan.

POTM: Louis Jenkins