In their second final in two years, it wasn’t to be for Ely City Women as they were defeated 3-1 by the excellent Division One leaders Spalding United at The Demcom on Thursday night, in the Alan Boswell League Cup Final.

Played in front 328 plus supporters - a record crowd for a Girls & Women’s Cambridgeshire County League Cup Final - it was the Lincolnshire side who made the early breakthrough after just 6 minutes, when Phoebe Richards-Reeves capitalised on a loose ball in the Robins box and calmly placed home past Lant Stevenson, despite valiant efforts from Kerry Dyer to block on the line.

The Robins, perhaps the more nervy of the two sides in the opening exchanges, worked hard to settle into the game. A brilliant run from Beth Horsfield saw her release Treasure Nwanebu in behind, but the ball ran through to the Spalding goalkeeper. Spalding continued to show their attacking threat, with Dyer again alert to track the run of Constance Onyinan before skipper Ellie Cooper made a crucial block to deny Tara Parker from close range.

Spalding thought they had doubled their lead shortly after, when a dangerous delivery from Richards-Reeves flashed across the face of goal, but Stevenson reacted well to punch clear and Lou Harwood blocked the rebound, before Tash Lane completed the clearance. Ely began to grow into the contest, with Danni Youngs dropping deeper to help gain a foothold in possession. Her excellent footwork and clever flick released Chazza Murombo down the right, who drove forward, but her cross narrowly evaded both Nwanebu and Horsfield in the middle.

Just as Ely looked to be finding rhythm, Spalding struck again on the stroke of half-time. A dangerous ball into the area was parried by Stevenson, but Mollie McCormack reacted quickest, lifting the ball over the advancing goalkeeper and defenders from the edge of the box, to make it 2-0.

HT: Ely City Women 0-2 Spalding United Women

The Robins emerged for the second half with renewed determination, now playing with a bit more intent and confidence. Lane again found Horsfield down the right, whose delivery was blocked, before Youngs saw an effort flash narrowly wide from a tight angle.

City continued to push forward, with Geo Salles doing excellently to find Nwanebu inside. A neat one-two with Youngs opened space for Murombo, but the Spalding full-back recovered well to clear for a corner. Ely introduced fresh legs with Erin Chandler adding width on the left as the Robins committed to attack the Tulips with less fear.

Despite Ely’s pressure, Spalding struck a decisive third goal against the run of play. A ball over the top caught Ely’s defence, and as Ellie Cooper and Stevenson combined to challenge the advancing winger, the referee cruelly pointed to the spot adjudging a foul in the contact.
Richards-Reeves stepped up confidently to convert the penalty and extend the lead to 3-0.
They nearly made it 4 in a matter of minutes, but the superb Dyer tracked her winger and slid in before the shot could be taken at the Ely goal.

Ely responded with further changes, as Kaci Gibson entered the fray for the tireless Lane and Christine Cullen slotted into left-back, with the Robins opting for a more direct approach. Horsfield remained a constant threat, weaving inside to create space, but her effort on goal was well blocked. Murombo and substitute Tiana O’Hara combined well on the counter to win a corner and keep the pressure on.

From that set piece came Ely’s reward. On 80 minutes, Horsfield’s recovered delivery from her initial corner was clipped back into the box, where Ellie Cooper bundled home to give the Robins a deserved goal and spark hope of a late comeback.

Ely pushed forward in the closing stages, with O’Hara and Horsfield both coming close to making it an interesting last five minutes, but the final touch eluded and Spalding saw out the game to secure the victory.

It was an outstanding effort from the Robins to reach the final, having overcome strong opposition from both Division One and Two along the way. However, on the night, this Spalding side proved a cut above and worthy winners of the Cup.
City however can take great pride in their run and now turn their attention to consolidating a top four finish as they head into the final month of what has been a highly commendable first season in Division Two, capped by another memorable cup journey.

FT: Ely City 1-3 Spalding United

Team; Stevenson, Dyer, El. Cooper (C), Em. Cooper, Sallas, Horsfield, Harwood, Lane, Youngs, Nwanebu, Morombo.
Subs: Gibson, Chandler, O'Hara, Cullen.