Foster Hat-Trick Demolishes The Hall

Match Report by Samir Osman

After winning at Gorleston on Saturday in the opening game of the season, the Robins opened their home account by beating local rivals Mildenhall.

Ely more than matched their newly relegated opponents for much of this game even though in the opening period neither side had a clear cut chance. Mildenhall saw lots of the ball but didn’t really do much with it as the hosts held a great defensive shape for long spells in the first half.
Duo Ash Walter and Alex Batten in midfield did really well to keep Ely’s midfield ticking over and creating chances for striker Ryan Harnwell which made for a really entertaining end to end game.

Mildenhall scored through striker Jack Brame when a ball over the top of Ely’s defence wasn’t cleared and the forward was able to slide the ball past the onrushing Reynolds to give the visitors the lead 23 minutes.

Ely almost scored straight away when a fantastic cross from Joe Brannan found it’s way to Steve Holder who got his shot away to force a corner. From the resulting set piece Holder’s header was headed just wide.

The Robins did equalise with 10 minutes of the half left when pacey winger Jordan Foster- a new signing from Great Shelford- ran clear of the defenders and did really well to take the ball past the goalkeeper firing low into an empty net.

Half time: Ely City 1- Mildenhall 1

The Robins began the second half really well and after a nasty clash of heads and foul on Matthew Simpson, Ely striker Ryan Harnwell almost scored from a free kick but ‘Hall goalkeeper Hayhoe did well to block the shot.

Ely took the lead on the sixtieth minute to the delight of the home crowd. Foster had a shot from the edge of the box and the ball bounced into the back of the net after a mistake from Hayhoe who really should have caught the ball- not that anyone of an Ely City persuasion could care!

Foster scored his hat-trick in the 75th minute when substitute Luke Crisp found himself in space and his shot was parried into the path of the number 7 who guided the ball into the corner.

Ely continued to have chances with the final one coming from defender Adam Capel who had an audacious shot from the half way line- unfortunately the ball bounced just over the bar.

After the game manager Brady Stone said: “First half an hour we weren’t great. We knew they’d have a lot of the ball ,but it was about us being disciplined and how we attacked them. The lads dug in, they kept their shape and we looked dangerous on the break”.

“Martin and I spoke about new signings and how we didn’t want to just sign players for the fun of it, we wanted to add real quality to the team and I think we’ve done that.”
“Foster is a dangerous player but he has a great record and he’s a good lad. It was a great team performance and we showed what we can do”.

Attendance 204