After two weeks on the road, the Robins returned home with manager Guy Habbin forced into changes. U18s Oskarus Urbonas and Iggy Rolhoff were brought into the squad, while Tom Stoker and Rob Ruddy remained side-lined. Tom Saunderson also dropped to the reserves to provide defensive cover.

Relegated from last season’s Isthmian League, Ipswich were always going to be tough opponents. They started brightly, pinning Ely back with the dangerous wing play of No. 7 Jose Santa, who delivered a series of threatening balls into the box.

The breakthrough came from the opposite flank. After Alfie Rogers was penalised for a foul, Wanderers were awarded a free kick 30 yards out. Scott Sloots stepped up and curled a dipping effort past Tyler Key at his near post to give the visitors the lead.

Despite flashes of promise from Tobi Lawal, who twice drove at the defence with mazy runs, Ely struggled to create clear chances. The match became scrappy, with both sides repeatedly caught offside. Captain Jacob Partridge made a vital challenge to prevent a breakaway and later headed clear from close range to deny Sloots.

But on 25 minutes Ipswich doubled their lead. Ely failed to clear a ball in behind, and when it dropped 25 yards out, Sloots controlled before unleashing a thunderous strike that left Key helpless.

The Robins, frustrated and chasing the game, resorted to longer passes, but Ipswich’s defence dealt comfortably with the threat of Friend and Lawal. Wanderers also managed the game well, winning loose balls and free kicks to disrupt any rhythm Ely tried to build.

Just before the break, Ely thought they had a lifeline. Partridge’s long ball sent Friend through on goal, but he was quickly closed down by the last defender and keeper. Ipswich otherwise controlled the half with maturity and composure.

HT: Ely City 0 – 2 Ipswich Wanderers

The second half began in much the same fashion, with Ely unable to find fluency. Frustration showed as Alex Kerr, Aaron Hamer and Charlie Root all went into the referee’s book inside ten minutes—each time through the dangerous Santa’s trickery. Ipswich almost made it three when a loose ball was struck sweetly from distance, the effort swerving in the wind before crashing off the post.

Habbin introduced Harley Murkin and Charlie Sutcliffe, who immediately injected energy into Ely’s play. Murkin forced a corner after pressuring his marker, while Sutcliffe beat his man down the flank and whipped in a dangerous cross that narrowly evaded Friend. Moments later, Friend was fouled on the edge of the box, but the resulting free kick was blocked. Signs of a Robins revival were beginning to emerge.

On 75 minutes they came agonisingly close. Sutcliffe cut inside and found Murkin, who took a touch before curling a fine effort towards the top corner, only to see the Wanderers keeper tip it over at full stretch. Ely pressed hard in the closing stages, but Ipswich remained dangerous on the counter. Joe Brannan and Partridge both made excellent last-ditch tackles to prevent a third.
As the wind picked up around the Demcom, Ely ran out of time. The Wanderers saw the game out with relative ease to hand the Robins their first league defeat and end their early unbeaten run.

FT: Ely City 0 - 2 Ipswich Wanderers

Team: Key, Kerr, Cook, Partridge (c), Brannan, Rogers, Root, Brown, Hamer, Friend, Lawal.
Subs: Rolhoff, Murkin, Urbonas, Sutcliffe, Biggs.

potm: Jacob Partridge