A Sam Townshend hat trick helped Ely City produced a clinical performance at The Demcom Stadium, storming to a 5-0 victory over 10 man Godmanchester Rovers in the FA Vase.

The Robins kicked off, with early pressure seeing a chance in the 5th minute when Sam Townshend weaved inside and forced a palm-away save from the Godmanchester keeper. After an opening period of tight and cautious play, there was nothing to split the sides in the opening 20.

The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when a long throw into the area from Dom Hunt was punched into his own net by the Rovers goalkeeper under seemingly no pressure from surrounding players despite his pleas of a foul.

The game took a pivotal turn in the 30th minute when Jack Friend was clattered moving away from goal by the already unfortunate Keeper, resulting in a penalty to Ely and a red card for the Godmanchester number 1. Townshend stepped up to dispatch the spot-kick confidently into the left corner to double the lead. Friend was unable to recover from the challenge and was replaced by Jordan Atkin.

Late first-half opportunities saw Atkin lift a bouncer over the bar, while Harrison Donnelly cut in from the right to set up Charlie Root, who fired over. Robins Keeper Ben Newton ensured the two-goal cushion remained intact before the break, coming out high to claim a dangerous long ball off the forward's head.

HT: Ely City 2 - 0 Godmanchester Rovers

Godmanchester started the second half with better intensity despite a man down, seeing a shot pulled just wide and then their number 9 smashing over in a one-on-one situation with Newton.

Ely countered swiftly in the 54th minute, as Townshend outran his centre-back, racing onto an Atkin pass and poked the ball past the substitute goalkeeper to make it 3-0. Just five minutes later, Atkin skipped down the right wing, breaking behind to square unselfishly for Townshend, who sat the keeper down and tapped home for his hat-trick.

In the 64th minute, Jamie Baxter added a fifth, rising at the back post to head home a deflected effort from a floated corner. Godmanchester to be fair kept driving forward, but ariel balls in were expertly cleared by the impressive Hunt and Josh Collins, who has had a great start to the season with the Robins.

Townshend had an opportunity to add a fourth to his tally and the Robins 6th, in the 79th minute after Atkin was hauled down in the box after a mazey run, but his penalty effort drifted wide of the right post. Atkin continued to threaten the Rovers back line and Townshend too went close but hit the side netting, before the referee blew for full-time on a dominant 5-0 win for Ely City.

FT: Ely City 5 - 0 Godmanchester Rovers.

The Robins will now face Harleston at the Demcom on September 12th.

Team; Ben Newton, Harrison Donnelly (Jev Cook 66), Alfie Rogers, Dom Hunt, Josh Collins (Jake Hornibrook 76), Jamie Baxter, Charlie Root (Harrison Butt 76), Fin Logan, Joe Tarpey (Tom Rigby 66), Jack Friend (Jordan Atkin 33), Sam Townshend.
Subs: All Used

POTM: Sam Townshend