Yaxley 2 Ely City 0

Starting lineup: Harry Reynolds,Dan Jeffrey,Jamie Alsop,Nathan Littlefair,Tom Williams, Nick Heap,Ben
Harnwell,Luke Crisp,Josh Lowe,Alex Theobald,Steve Holder Subs all used Ash Walter,Louie Diver,Josh
Rathjen and Martin Grey

Pre season is all about getting minutes into the legs and that was very much the case here as the Robins
lost 2-0 against their hosts from Yaxley.
This was Ely’s first game of their pre season schedule whereas Yaxley began theirs on Saturday at home
to Peterborough Sports. It was perhaps no surprise that Yaxley started the game on the front foot and
with greater energy.
The hosts took the lead in the 10 th minute when their giant of a number 14 striker had a shot which was
parried away by Harry Reynolds in the Ely goal but was put into the back of the net by his strike partner.
Ely’s best chance came when their number 9 striker was fouled 20 yards out and Alsop’s freekick was
headed agonisingly wide of the near post by number 10 Steve Holder.
Yaxley should have doubled their advantage but their striker – wearing number 14- who towered above
the rest of the players headed a corner into the middle of the crossbar.
Ely ended the half with a freekick from Jamie Alsop being fired just over.

Half time: Yaxley 1 Ely City 0

City began the second half on the front foot and Josh Lowe had a shot which looked destined for the
bottom corner saved brilliantly and tipped past the post. This lead to 2 successive Ely corners but no
goals.
At around the 60 th minute the lack of match fitness for both sides started to become more evident with
both sides having long range shots rather than build up play into each others boxes.
Yaxley doubled their lead with 20 minutes remaining when Harry Reynolds in the Robins goal came
rushing out in an attempt to clear the ball but the home striker managed to poke home deftly into the
bottom left hand side to give the home team a 2 goal victory.

A mention to Ben Harnwell from our current Under 18 side and Josh Rathjen from last seasons who both made their debut for the Senior side

Next up for Ely is a trip to West Wratting this Saturday before taking on local rivals Soham next Tuesday.
Full time: Yaxley 2 Ely City 0

Match Report by Samir Osman