Today the hairy (Movember moustaches)(Keep trying Luke) ‘Robins’, coached, not flew, down to deepest Hertfordshire to play Hatfield Town FC in the 2nd round of the FA Vase. It was a dull dampish day with a very very heavy pitch. The pitch was surrounded by an athletics track and then a cycle track so the supporters were a very long way from the action. The Ref. told me before the game that it was good for him because he could not hear any abuse from spectators, they were so far away. Unfortunately the crowd was only 54 and more than half of those were travelling ‘Robins’ supporters (well done people). Before the game could start there was a well respected minutes silence for a Hatfield player, Paul Jevons 31, who had died suddenly last Sunday after being taken ill whilst playing football (A total tragedy for one so young, I know all at Ely City FC send friends and family heartfelt condolences) So under dark skies and in a sombre mood the game started with Ely kicking off.
Straight away Ely went forward and in the first minute Richard Chadwick was brought down on the left but the free kick was saved by the keeper . Soon a corner followed and as the ball came out to Luke Parkinson, he tried a shot but slipped (as many did, all afternoon, on this surface) and the effort came to nothing. Although it was Ely attacking it was Hatfield who were to take the lead. On 6 minutes they attacked down the right with their tricky right winger who was actually the main force all afternoon. He got the ball into the centre 5 yards outside the box. Josh Curry was alleged to have fouled the attacker and a free kick awarded. Hatfield’s Jay Welsh stepped up and hit a cracking shot over the wall into the net in off Lee Pacey left hand post 0 - 1 down
Right from the restart Ely went forward Luke Pakinson shot over the top. Chris Sterecki picked up a ball on halfway and put Andrew ’Porky’ Claydon in on the right hand side of the box but his fierce shot was turned round the post by the keeper. Hatfield had a couple of minutes pressure again down the right but the Ely defence was firm. On 14 minutes ‘Josh C’ put a ball over the top which ’Porky’ chased, he and keeper got to the ball at same time but keeper pushed the ball away for a corner. This was cleared behind for a second corner, which in turn was half cleared out to the left. Luke Parkinson picked it up and steered it back into the six yard box where ’Porky’ was able to stab home for the equaliser 1 - 1.
Hatfield tried to get back in front and had a chance when a ball over the top was taken on by their striker but he took his early and it went well wide. It was the 18th minute and Ely were about to take the lead that they were never to lose. Josh Bridgeman got the ball across to ‘Chads’, as he took the ball across the box he was brought down and the penalty awarded. Luke Parkinson took it hitting the ball to the keepers left , he save it , it rebounded to Luke who missed it but ‘Porky was behind him and he made no mistake smacking it straight back into the net 2 - 1
Ely were soon going forward again Adam Murray had a strong run out of defence down the right but the keeper was able to save ’Mussa’s shot low at his right hand post. Darren Coe then headed just over from the corner, but on 23 minutes they were to go further ahead. ‘Josh B’ put a good ball over the defence for ‘Porky’ to run on to in the left corner of the box he very unselfishly pulled it back to ‘Chads’ who scored well keeping his shot down well from 12 yards. 3 - 1
It took just another seven minutes for Ely to increase their lead even further. This time a free kick was put up into the Hatfield box, it caused a scramble before the ball fell to ’Chads’. He was about to shot as his leg was hooked away from him and another penalty was awarded. This time ’Josh B’ took the spot kick and sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 4 - 1
Ely were now well in charge and really making inroads into the Hatfield area at will, so it was no surprise when they scored a fifth just before the break on 44 minutes. This time it was ‘Chads’ who made another run in the wide area and his cross was cleared for a corner. As the ball came in it was headed out towards the back post ’Mussa’ headed it back across the goal, the keeper was under pressure and spilled it and ’Porky’ forced it home HAT-TRICK 5 - 1
HALF TIME
The restart, ’Robins’ get the ball after ‘Porky’ battles for it out on the left He swings it in, ‘Chads helps it on, out to the right to an unmarked Nick Impey 15 yards out. ‘Imps’ lashes it home its 36 seconds since the restart 6 - 1
Still Ely were relentless, 53 minutes a poor back pass found ‘Chads’ but he shot straight at the keeper. 55 minutes a poor header out fell to ‘Josh B’ 25 yards out and his rasping shot scraped over the crossbar. It was time for some changes and 2 minutes later the hard working ‘Chads’ was replaced by Austen Diaper an inspired substitution. On 59 minutes terrific football, a great move down the left by the brothers Parkinson, playing a one two to the bye line, before the ball was played into super sub ‘Tino’ who whipped it into the net before anyone could say “Goalllll !!!’ 7 - 1
On 66 minutes the hat-trick man was ‘Porky’ was replaced by ‘Gammo’ Richard Gammon and 4 minutes later Darren Coe came off to be replaced by ‘Bubs’ Ben Lawrence. Everyone was now trying to get forward, Imps had a fierce shot tipped over by the keeper and Hatfield had never seen throw ins like ‘Bubs’ so they were causing them trouble, Luke lobbed one just over the bar and Gammo escaped in the 83rd minute but hit his shot straight at the keeper. This in itself caused problems with everyone being over eager and a bit casual the keeper cleared to the quick lad on the right who skipped down the wing to the bye line, pulled it back for Matt Hodges to side foot home 7 - 2
Ely still went forward another long throw from ’Bubs’ was not properly cleared. It fell to ’Shrecks’ whose rasping drive was just wide of the upright. Low and behold it was Hatfield who were to finish the scoring in the 88th minute, Ely switched off again and with some poor marking the ball came in to the centre from the left to the unmarked Darrell Smith and he fired home 7 - 3
A few moments later the whistle went for the end of an entertaining match,. Fair to say that Hatfield were not the strongest team but seven goals is a very good return against any team. We have to stop switching off in the last 10 minutes like we have done on a few occasions this season but we have another good win, confidence is high in the team and in the supporters AND the road to Wembley is still open. Who will come out of the hat for the Robins on Monday ?????