In the first ever Women’s Fenclassico, both teams came into the game in a run of form in their leagues, Ely sill vying for promotion from Division Three whilst Soham in the top 3 of theirs.

In a cagey start, both teams struggled to keep any momentum of play, Ely edging it possession but with only Danni Youngs having the first meaningful chance, but the Soham keeper was out quick to close down.
On 11 minutes the home side took an early lead. Docwra, already going close minutes earlier scoring a fantastic free kick into the far corner after Beth Horsfield was fouled 25 yards out.
Ely tried to keep the pressure on Soham and went in hunt for a second, Youngs and strike partner Poppy Green the aggressors but their shots blocked. Meanwhile, Tash Lane and Amy Lloyd screened Ely’s backline, not allowing Soham any clear way through.
Soham did come back into the game, but after a long ball in behind seemed to have got the forward in, Kerry Dyer and then Ellie Cooper made last ditch tackles to deny any chance on goal.
On the stroke of half time, the Robins should have doubled their lead, but as Em Cooper connected with Docwra’s corner, the Soham keeper made a fantastic one hand save to push over from 6 yards to keep the score at 1-0.

Second half, Soham came out more direct, although with little change given from Dyer, Cooper and Cullen at the back – Ely repelled any effort on their goal.
Lane and Lloyd in the midfield pressed higher, pushing Soham back in their half and Lloyd nearly capitalised 25 yards out but her shot looped over. Docwra had a chance to double the lead for Ely, after being played in over the top by the excellent Lane, but her shot was blocked away.
Youngs too could have scored but the Soham keeper scrambled away after Charlotte Lupson’s high ball was fumbled.
Into the last 15 and Soham put pressure back on, and nearly scored but for a combination of Kaci Gibson, Dyer and then El Cooper in front of their own goal scrambled the ball out, before Lane smashed away.
Into the last 5 minutes, Soham had one last effort, but as the Soham forward weaved herself clear of the Ely line, El Cooper produced a great interception to deny a certain goal from the forward!

The final whistle drew, and Ely City Women had made it to their first final. Despite there having to be a winner, both teams competed in front of 237 in attendance at the Demcom in a great advert for Women’s football!

Ely will now play Cambridge Rangers at Histon FC on May 1st.

Team; Tiff Toynton, Kerry Dyer, Ellie Cooper, Christine Cullen, Beth Horsfield, Emma Cooper, Amy Lloyd, Kelly Docwra, Natasha Lane, Danni Youngs, Poppy Green.
Subs; Kaci Gibson, Isabelle Lupson, Bella Pillow, Vic Bailey, Erin Chandler.