Guy Habbin kept the nucleus of his side from the opening day win against Harleston, as injuries and holidays still has some of his squad to return. Alex Brown replaced Charlie Sutcliffe, who dropped to the bench in the only starting change and Tom Stoker returned as a sub.

The New Croft was in much anticipation, as this being Haverhill’s first game in their return to the topflight after a two year absence. Made up of several ex-Robins, the game was set up nicely under the lights.
And it was the home side and an ex-Robin who made a superb start. 67 second in, a soft foul on halfway by Charlie Root saw the free kick delivered deep into the box. It wasn’t dealt with and fell kindly to the feet of ex-red Tom Williams, who poked home. In his excitement, he proceeded to taunt Harley Murkin in his celebration and received a booking.

The Robins weathered an early onslaught, as Mutswunguma broke past Ben Newton before slicing off the post, but was deemed offside and then Williams again headed wide from a corner. They started to piece together their own intent, as good hold up play from Murkin saw Aaron Hamer hit a switch out to Harry Edwards but his cross was deflected away.
City found their equaliser after putting consistent pressure on the Haverhill box. Hamer’s deep corner to the back post was headed down by Jacob Partridge and Alfie Rogers smashed home from close range. That goal spurred more life in the Robins play, as Sam Tagg and Hamer worked well inside before switching out to Brown. His delivery was nodded out and Hamer smashed over from 25 yards. A succession of long throws from Rogers caused trouble on the edge, first Murkin flicked off the throw, into space and rasped one just over before Tagg too found space after a flick on and curled wide.
On the clutch of half time, Haverhill could have taken the lead, a header across the face was tipped onto the bar by Ben Newton, before Partridge headed off the line as it dropped- Brannan smashed away as the whistle went for the break.

HT; Haverhill Rovers 1 – 1 Ely City

Second half and the Robins came out the quicker, Murkin and Friend pressing the Haverhill line. The home side had possession but couldn’t find any significant gaps into Ely’s final third. A long ball out turned the Haverhill defender and Friend was quick on to it. He laid off to the lively Murkin who fired just over with Keeper Archer rooted. Friend then went close himself, Root's dink in behind left Archer in no man’s land, but as Friend lifted the ball over the top of him, the Haverhill stopper back peddled and claimed on his line.
On 65 minutes, that duel was ignited as a Friend header forced Archer into a save and his parry out saw Tagg bundled clumsily to the floor, the referee awarding a penalty.
Friend stepped up and powered into the bottom left, although Archer got a big hand on it, but the pace took it under his outstretched arm and nestled into the corner. A big goal and turnaround, as Ely went for more. Murkin won the ball in the midfield and again was upended as he drove to goal, before sub Sutcliffe did excellently to jink his way through into the box but was smothered away before he could get a shot away. Into the last 10, Haverhill played long, but the excellent again Joe Brannan, Rogers and Partridge were equal to every ball - as well as Newton in the Robins goal who came and collected any ball over the top.
Into injury time, Haverhill had a chance on the edge of the area but blasted straight at Newton, and his quick long ball found sub Tobi Lawal on the counter. Lawal played fellow sub-Tom Stoker in who raced clear of the home defender, but his shot was straight at Archer.

The final whistle drew and Ely had come from behind to take an excellent three points after a masterful second half of composure and game plan saw them keep Haverhill at bay and have the last laugh after conceding so early.

FT; Haverhill Rovers 1 – 2 Ely City

Team; Newton, Hamer, Partridge, Brannan, Rogers, Edwards, Tagg, Brown, Root, Murkin, Friend,
Subs; Stoker, Lawal, Sutcliffe, Urbonas, Saunderson.

MediaTeam POTM; Harley Murkin