Ely City endured a frustrating afternoon in Norfolk as a debatable second-half penalty condemned the Robins to a narrow 2–1 defeat against Dereham Town, despite a performance where they create the better chances throughout the game to come away with more.

The Robins made an excellent start and looked confident in possession from the first whistle. After a spell of sustained pressure, Tom Stoker opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a moment of real quality. An excellent touch inside by Charlie Sutcliffe saw Alex Brown and Alex Kerr combine before Jack Friend laid the ball to Stoker, rifling a low 20-yard strike into the bottom corner beyond the Dereham goalkeeper.

The goal gave Ely momentum, but Dereham soon grew into the game, pressing higher up the pitch and asking questions of the Robins’ defence with several crosses into the box giving some trouble defending the forceful wind against them. On 32 minutes, the hosts found an equaliser. A loose ball in the box wasn't cleared by Ely and as the ball was recycled, the ball deceived Aaron Hamer and kindly bounced to the Dereham winger. Driving into the box, Jamie North finished smartly with a great shot across Ben Newton into the far side of the goal.

Both sides continued to battle for control, with the strong wind making it difficult to sustain possession. Ely defended resolutely and created half-chances through Stoker and then Friend went close with an effort late on, but the sides went into the break level.

HT: Dereham Town 1 - 1 Ely City

The second half saw Dereham use the conditions to their advantage, forcing Ely deeper into their half. But Ely rallied as they countered. Stoker drew a near post block and Ruddy had a thumping header pushed away. The Robins even had a shout for a penalty of their own, Kerr was tripped under a clumsy challenge that had the Dereham defender look anxiously at the officials, but the referee waved away. The game’s decisive moment came on 71 minutes when a Dereham forward went down under very minimal contact in the box, and the referee controversially pointed to the spot. Ryan Hawkins stepped up and converted the penalty to put the home side ahead somewhat against the run of play in the moment.

Ely refused to give in and pressed strongly. Brown say a wind assisted free kick drift wide, Friend was blocked as he tried to wriggle free and Harley Murkin went close with a curling effort. Stoker almost rescued a point late on - his thunderous shot in the 88th minute was sent crashing against the crossbar from a deflected effort.

Despite several late corners and their best efforts, the Robins couldn’t find the equaliser their performance deserved.

FT: Dereham Town 2 - 1 Ely City

Team; Newton, Hamer, Cook, Partridge, Rogers, Ruddy, Brown, Sutcliffe, Stoker, Friend, Kerr.
Subs: Saunderson, Lawal, Murkin, Brannan

MediaTeam POTM; Tom Stoker