Match Report: Ely City U18s 5 v 2 Long Melford U18s

The Youth Team maintained their 100% record in pre-season with a 5-2 win against Long Melford in the first ever Unwin Trophy Youth Charity event raising funds for Arthur Rank Hospice.

On the hottest July day in UK history, the football and work rate on show from all players was incredible.

Ely dominated possession in the first 20 minutes with some quality football and found themselves a goal up early on. A cross from Ben Harnwell was volleyed home superbly by Lewis Perry.

A second quickly followed when a good passing move saw a shot from Ollie Ward blocked and Will Fox turned in the rebound.

The side relaxed slightly and allowed the visitors back in to the game with a free header from a free-kick.

It took a counter attack from George Hay which saw him brought down in the box to win a penalty to calm the side. Ben Harnwell dispatched the penalty to make it 3-1.

Ely saw out the remainder of the first half, back in control of the game.

Half-time; 3-1

The second half followed the pattern of the majority of the first.

Ely dominated possession and looked to work hard to win the ball back, forcing the away side in to errors.

Such work rate earned a free-kick around 20 yards out and this was bent in to the top corner by Ben Harnwell for his second of the game.

A fifth quickly followed when Melford failed to clear a corner and Adam Clark volleyed home.

Jack Berriman conceded a penalty with around 20 minutes left and Melford scored their second.

Ely saw the game out despite going down to 10 men when Harvey Humble was sent off for a second booking late on.

Full-time; 5-2

Starting XI; Newton, Elsom, Humble, Perry, Smith, Harnwell, J Johnson, Fox, Hay, Ward, O Johnson

Subs (all used); Manels, Menon, Berriman, Robjant, Clark, Marshall

We would like to thank Long Melford for travelling over and wish them well for the season.