The Robins welcomed back skipper Louis Jenkins from injury, with Sam Tagg also returning to the lineup alongside Jev Cook. Fin Logan retained his place after a disciplined performance against Downham last Saturday, as manager Guy Habbin rotated his side.
On a warm evening, with anticipation already building among the crowd, it was the Hares who settled quickly and struck first. A direct ball to their right winger forced an early corner, which was perfectly delivered into the six-yard box. The Robins failed to make first contact, and March captain Craig Gillies fired past Tyler Key from close range inside five minutes.
March pressed Ely immediately from the restart. Their physical, direct approach disrupted City’s rhythm and restricted any forward momentum for the Robins. They nearly doubled their lead when a long ball in behind found Lewis Hilliard, but Key reacted sharply to smother the ball at his feet.
Ely began to grow into the game as Alex Kerr and Tom Stoker worked effectively down the right. Kerr got the better of Jack Saunders before cutting inside; Stoker laid off the return, but Kerr’s shot was blocked before he could pull the trigger.
As the game opened, Tagg and Logan pushed March deeper, allowing Ely to create chances. First, Stoker dragged a shot just wide from inside the box. Then, after a corner wasn’t cleared, Logan found Jenkins, whose angled shot from ten yards drew a fingertip save around the post from March keeper Jonah Gill.
Ely created two more late chances before the break. Stoker grazed the post from a tight angle from a long Toby Salmons throw, and Tagg fired just wide from distance. March might also have added a second, but Key pulled off back-to-back saves from Gillies and Matty Foy after a cross was not cleared.
Half-time: Ely City 0 – 1 March Town United
Despite the early setback, the Robins responded well. With several chances created, they might have been level—or ahead—if not for the finer margins in finishing and a goalkeeper’s fingertips!
But just minutes into the second half, March doubled their lead. After Ely’s attack down the right was broken up, the Hares countered with pace. A long diagonal found Foy on the right, who crossed to the far side where Flo Tsaguim had slipped in behind Salmons and Kerr. Tsaguim took one touch before blasting the ball in off the underside of the bar from 15 yards out for 2–0, and a huge blow to Ely’s hopes of an early revival.
The March fans erupted behind the goal, knowing that early second-half strike gave them the platform to control the game.
Ely responded, with Kerr reaching the byline and cutting back for Stoker, whose effort was deflected wide. Habbin introduced Tobi Lawal, Aaron Hamer, and Ash Dobson to inject fresh energy. But March’s second goal allowed them to drop deeper and soak up pressure, frequently launching direct balls to force Ely to rebuild from deep inside their own half.
Lawal brought some spark to the attack, driving at the March defence. Alex Theobald and then Alex Brown were also introduced on the same side to add width and attacking support as Ely went for broke.
In the final 15 minutes, chances were limited. March countered one Ely move, but Key claimed a dangerous cross. Friend then fired over from 18 yards. The closing stages saw a flurry of stoppages from fatigue, injuries, and fouls, with bookings on both sides.
March had two final chances—first, substitute Escorio’s back-post header was ruled offside. Then, minutes later, and deep into injury time, Key made another excellent reaction save, though the flag was already raised for offside on the attempted rebound.
Full Time: Ely City 0 – 2 March Town United
March lifted the Invitation Cup in front of the 505 in attendance, backed by the vocal support on both sides. Ely, though heartbroken after a tough week, were applauded by their army of singing supporters from behind the goal, friends, and family until the very end.
Despite the disappointment, Robins Secretary Derek Oakey summed up the overwhelming mood as he applauded the team in for their runners up presentation, saying:
“We can be disappointed - no one likes to lose a cup final - but what an exceptional season all round, with highs aplenty. We’ll build on this next season. As a club, it’s been a great year, and we’ve still one final to come. We have a lot to be proud of.”
For the First Team, it’s been a fantastic season. Though it ended in a dramatic week with playoff and cup final defeats, the incredible journey to reach those heights is a credit to the players and staff - driven also by the remarkable bond with the supporters throughout the year.
Starting XI: Key, Salmons, Brannan, Partridge, Cook, Kerr, Tagg, Logan, Jenkins, Stoker, Friend
Subs: Theobald, Hamer, Brown, Dobson, Lawal