Ely City blew away early league leaders Stowmarket Town in an impressive away performance, as the Robins continued their impressive form.

Before kick-off, both sides stood together for a impeccably observed minute's silence in memory of four-year-old Noah Wood, who tragically died last week in Brantham.

The opening stages were scrappy as both teams looked to find their rhythm, but the match burst into life in the 12th minute. Dom Hunt launched a trademark long throw into the heart of the box, where Alfie Rogers met it ahead of the keeper with a powerful header to put the Robins ahead.

Stowmarket responded quickly in the 17th minute. Capitalising on a turnover in midfield, a slick through ball split the Ely defence, allowing the hosts winger to race through, round Ben Newton, and slot home the equaliser.

Ely regained the lead just three minutes later via another set-piece threat. Hunt launched another long throw into the danger area, and under pressure from Josh Collins at the front post, a Stowmarket defender inadvertently flicked the ball into his own net for an own goal.

The game became end-to-end as both sides created key opportunities. Alex Brown carved open the Stowmarket defence with a sublime outside-of-the-foot pass to Sam Townshend, who went past the keeper before firing just over. Steph Pereira and Joe Tarpey then linked up smartly to set up Townshend once more, though his first-time effort cleared the crossbar.

As the half drew to a close, the hosts turned up the pressure. Newton made a smart smothering save to deny Mills before pulling off a stunning double-block from point-blank range. The moments that followed defined the match; after gathering the rebound, Newton immediately launched a precise kick downfield - Pereira latched onto the pass in full stride and coolly poked it past the onrushing goalkeeper to make it 3–1 to Ely right before the break.

HT: Stowmarket Town 1 - 3 Ely City
The Robins picked up where they left off early in the second half, with Townshend seeing a low strike blocked for a corner and Pereira threatening again down the flanks.

Despite the scoreline, Stowmarket pressed hard to get back into the contest and missed a golden opportunity from six yards out as the Ely defence stood strong from the direct onslaught Stow started to adhere to.
The hosts continued to push their high lines in search of a comeback, but Newton - along with Rogers, Hunt, Collins and Baxter held firm before Newton made close-range reflex save; tapped-in from Stowmarket's Mills but ruled offside.

In the 90th minute, Ely put the result beyond doubt. A long ball over the top caught the Stowmarket defence high up the pitch, Townshend read the bounce, got past the defender, rounded the keeper, and finished into an empty net to secure a emphatic 4-1 away victory.

FT: Stowmarket Town 1 - 4 Ely City

Team: 1. Ben Newton, 2. Harrison Donnelly, 3. Jamie Baxter, 4. Alfie Rogers, 5. Josh Collins, 6. Dom Hunt, 7. Tom Rigby, 8. Alex Brown, 9. Stephen Pereira, 10. Sam Townshend, 11. Joe Tarpey.
Subs: Jevan Cook, Charlie Sutcliffe, Charlie Root, Jack Friend

MediaTeam Away Days POTM: Ben Newton