After the frustrations of last week and a lengthening injury list, Guy Habbin brought in two new signings, welcoming Tom Craddock who was recently at Birkenhead and Tommy Allen from Haverhill Borough. Craddock came straight in to start as Jacob Partridge (suspended) and Rob Ruddy (injured) were unavailable.

Habbin had said in previous interviews with the MediaTeam that the Robins had made quick starts, but not taken early chances – well it couldn’t have come earlier to prove his want – as after 90 second, a clever through ball to Friend saw him steal the ball off the defender caught cold, nipped in and score. And Ely continued that domination, getting the ball down and played. Leon Fulianty sitting in and both creating and dictating the play from the midfield. Harleston had a chance to get back in to the game, a stray ball dropping for their attacker Durham, the strike was finger tipped on to the post by Ben Newton in the Robins goal, who then got up well to smother the rebound effort from Panny.
Ely had rode their luck in that moment, but then reshaped and pressed, with Tobi Lawal, Stoker and Friend all going close. It was the in-form Stoker who doubled Ely’s lead. A delicious ball over the top from Fulianty caught the Harleston back line square – Stoker running through and perfectly placing wide of the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. Harleston found it frustrating and were booked for 3 cynical fouls as Ely dictated the half to the interval.

HT: Harleston Town 0 – 2 Ely City

In credit to the home side, they came out much the aggressive, dominating possession early, but the back line of Ely was excellent in holding its shape and Craddock, considering being with the team only days – seamlessly fitted alongside Joe Brannan and Alfie Rogers. Having Harleston come out allowed Ely to hit the home side on the break with the cushion of their 2 goal lead, Sammy Townshend was electric again down the left and his mazy run led to another chance for Friend who went close. The home side thought they had a chance again to halve the deficit, but again the post denied Tyas, before the rebound was blasted over. Ely controlled the later stages of the game, Fulianty with Brown dominating the midfield areas as the Robins looked to add another to avoid any late dramas. That came on 88 minutes, as Ely pressed further forward where Harleston defended deep. A snap shot effort was superbly saved by Sutton in the Harleston goal, but sub Sutcliffe ghosted in and tucked away the rebound to make the game safe at 3-0.

FT: Harleston Town 0 – 3 Ely City

Team: Newton, Cook, Townshend, Rogers, Craddock, Brannan, Fulianty, Brown, Stoker, Friend, Lawal.
Subs: Sutcliffe, Biggs, Allan, Turner.

POTM: Leon Fulianty