Match Report: St Ives 0 Ely City 0

Report by Samir Osman

St Ives 0 Ely City 0
Ely City starting lineup:
1: Reynolds (GK), 2: Simpson, 3: Alsop, 4: Capel, 5: Williams, 6: Harvey, 7: Batten, 8: Crisp, 9: Harnwell,
10: Holder, 11: Tunnell

St Ives are two divisions above Ely in the football pyramid and that was reflected in the way the game
played out at Westwood Road.
In the first twenty minutes Ely’s best chance came when Crisp crossed the ball in from the right hand
wing and the number 9 Harnwell managed to get his shot away but unfortunately not on target.
Ely seemed to be trying to play the ball out from the back early on and they were playing on the counter
as St Ives built a lot of pressure. The hosts had their best chance as their number 6 ran into the box but
could only get his shot wide of the post.
There was a good defensive resolve shown by Ely as they managed to block off 6/7 shots from the edge
of the box in the first half.
A large reason for the clean sheet was down to goalkeeper Harry Reynolds who made four fantastic
finger tip saves – three of which came in the second half- from edge of the box shots.
Just after the drinks break mid way through the first half central defender Tom Williams did really well
to close down and stop the shot St Ives number 10 Osei- Bonsu in the box after the winger broke past
midfield.
The first half and game in general broke into a pattern at the 25 th minute mark with Ely playing two solid
banks of four using Ryan Harnwell to hold the ball up and reduce the pressure on the defenders. This
seemed to work as despite firing shots wide St Ives didn’t create any clear cut chances before the break.
In the second half there wasn’t a chance for either side until the sixtieth minute when the St Ives
number 9 had a shot in the box after a good run from the hosts wide left player.
Central defenders Capel and Williams as well as midfield duo Crisp and Batten were carrying on their
good defensive play from the first half and as a result the visitors from Ely were playing as a great
defensive unit.
The Robins were having chances too and after Nick Heap and Sam Reed came on for Tunnell and Holder
respectively the ball was played into Harnwell who ran into the six yard box and produced a great shot
forcing home goalkeeper Conway to get down and dive to his left to palm the ball away.
Ely had the last chance of the game too and in the last minute of the game a foul on Crisp to the left
hand side was curled just over by number 6 Harvey.

St Ives 0 Ely City0