Ely City Reserves stormed into the Cliff Bullen Cup Final with a ruthless and electrifying display, dismantling fierce rivals Soham Town Rangers Reserves 5–1 to keep their dream of a historic hat-trick alive.

On a sunlit but swirling afternoon, The Robins came flying out of the blocks - sharp, aggressive, and utterly relentless. It took just five minutes for the breakthrough to arrive. A wicked delivery from Charlie Tunnell caused chaos in the Soham box, and Josh Townshend rose at the back post to nod home to early ignite the tie.

Wave after wave of pressure followed, as Soham's keeper made an important reflex save on the quarter hour mark. But on 18 minutes the lead was doubled in emphatic style. Phil Turner’s corner arced dangerously to the back post, where James Chivers powered a towering header off the bar and in. 2-0, and Ely were rampant.

Soham barely had time to regroup before the Robins struck again.

Just four minutes later, another teasing ball into the box caused panic, the initial save was made and parried out to Townshend, he cut the back and the ball ricocheted invitingly as Jamie Baxter pounced without hesitation, smashing home Ely’s third. At 3-0, it was turning into a rout.

Soham did claw one back on 37 minutes in controversial fashion, with a blatant push foul on Fin Logan ignored in the build-up before their forward finished cut in and fired past Joe Murfitt. But any flicker of hope was short-lived.

Four minutes before the break, a pinpoint ball into the area found Charlie Tunnell, who took a touch and then showed no mercy - driving home Ely’s fourth to restore total control and send the Robins into half-time with a commanding 4-1 lead.

HT: Ely City Reserves 4-1 Soham Town Rangers Res

The second half became a procession. Ely dictated the tempo, controlled the battle, and never allowed Soham a route back into the contest. The game mainly struggling to gather much quality outside of the midfield as the wind swept around and Ely kept Soham pressed to the half way line.

But with five minutes remaining, Josh Townshend delivered the moment of the match. Picking up the ball, he surged forward with intent, gliding past one defender, then another, before coolly stepping inside the last man and slotting elegantly home. A goal worthy of sealing any semi-final - and one that underlined Ely’s dominance throughout.

The Robins march on to the Cliff Bullen Cup Final, their grip on the trophy tightening as they chase an incredible third consecutive triumph. On this evidence, they won’t be giving it up without a fight as they face nemeses - West Wratting on Friday 24th April.

FT: Ely City Reserves 5 - 1 Soham Town Rangers Res

Team: Murfitt, Logan, Baxter, Wyman, Turner, Chivers, Harnwell, Loker, Carvalho, Tunnell, Townshend.
Subs: Jones, Lamb, Hunt, Hancock, Urbonas.

POTM: Josh Townshend