Ely exited the FA Vase but it was not without a fight against higher league opposition. Ely went into the game with nearly a full squad to pick from. Alex Knowles was unavailable and Paul Summerskill is still injured, but new signing Matty Simpson came in to the starting line up. There was also a place on the bench for two of the under 18 squad Finley Logan and Rhys Mazey.

Ely started the brighter of the two teams and were looking confident in possession in the early stages of the game. Ely won a couple of free kicks and corners but could not create anything from them. After 15 minutes Ely were caught in possession on the attack and Newmarket broke up field and punished Ely by opening the scoring with a well worked goal.

After conceding Ely were still the better team for the rest of the first half and continued to have more possession but the Newmarket defence stood strong. Alex Theobald had a shot tipped over by the impressive visiting goalkeeper. Ash Walter had a long range effort well blocked and Matty Simpson headed over when well placed.

The second half started badly for Ely as Newmarket increased their lead when a striker headed in from a corner after being unmarked. The goal knocked Ely back and the team looked slightly deflated and Newmarket were in control of the game at this stage. With 65 minutes played Ely introduced Craig Neal and Liam Griffin for Matty Simpson and Ash Walter and the tempo was raised. Alex Theobald was played through but as he looked to loop the ball over the defenders head appeals for handball came from the home players but nothing given. James Seymour pushed into a more advanced role and he produced a great save from the visiting goalkeeper and then followed this with another good save from a Sam Goodge free kick. Ely finally found the breakthrough in the 85th minute when Craig Neal set up James Seymour to finish confidently low into the bottom corner.

Ely threw everything at Newmarket in the last 5 minutes with Jack Saunders shooting inches past the post when well placed a number of dangerous balls being put into the Newmarket box. Then came the most controversial moment of the match when James Seymour broke into the Newmarket box and appeared to be tugged back by the Newmarket defender but the referee and his assistant waived away the appeals.

As we exited the Vase we can hold our heads high knowing that we pushed a good Newmarket side all the way. Our attention will turn back to the league as we will look to bounce back from our last defeat with a positive result away at Sudbury Reserves on 10th October.