After all the praise after a great team performance on Saturday against Stanway it was another Jekyll and Hyde performance from the Robins in front of their home supporters.

Taking nothing away from Downham who controlled the game with their slick passing as The Robins sat deep and did not press in the right areas. The home side seemed to strangely lose all of the belief and momentum from their last game and even without the unavailability of Kelvin Enaro,Spencer Saberton and Alex Theobald on the bench this was a very disappointing exit from a competition we have won twice in the past. The bench was also made up of 17 year old Andy George and 16 year old Tom Thulborn while Daniel Jeffrey was returning from injury.

Downham took the lead in the 25th minute from a corner and defenders lost their markers and free header saw the ball soar into the net. It was from another corner seven minutes later when Ely did not win the second ball and the ball was put home through a crowded box.

The home side went three at the back at the start of the second half and started with a purpose but when possession was given away cheaply on the half way line a counter attack from the visitors found a spare man at the far post and he slotted the ball past a helpless Reynolds.

Brady Stone made a triple substitution with Theoblad,George and Thulborn coming on. The younger two making their debuts with the lively George up front and the composure and directness of Thulborn they started to get behind the Downham back four .It was the two youngsters who combined which resulted in George being bundled over in the 75th minute in the box and Alex Theobald stepped up a to blast the ball high and wide.

A very disappointing night with the only plus coming from the debut of Andy George and the impressive Tom Thulborn.

Next up is a big league game at home to Ipswich Wanderers