Saturday was a game to forget for Ely as they lost heavily away from home conceding 4 second half goals and finishing the game with 9 men aswell as manager Brady Stone being sent from the dug out.

Ely were without some of their key players as Craig Galbraith and Josh Sewell were unavailable and Sam Goodge was still injured. Goalkeeper Will Beech came in and Ed Richardson started at centre half.

Stowmarket had the best of the first 10 minutes putting some dangerous balls into the Ely box from crosses and long throws. Ely then started to gain more control of the match and created a number of chances. James Seymour went close when finding time in the box to turn and shoot, Ash Walter had a good effort saved by the Stowmarket goalkeeper who also kept Craig Neal out when he went through one on one, and jack Saunders had an effort blocked. Then came the changing moment in the game 5 minutes before half time. A ball over the top of the Ely centre halves was partially controlled by the Stowmarket forward who stumbled as the ball ran loose from his touch. There was no appeals from the Stowmarket dug out and no flag from the linesman but the ref blew his whistle giving a free kick to Stowmarket and sending Ed Richardson off for apparently tripping the Stowmarket forward. Ed had his eyes firmly on the ball at all times and if there was any contact it was minimal and purely accidental. The last 5 minutes of the hald were played out with Ely still confused by the refereeing’s decision.

Ely started the second half with a 4-3-2 formation with Craig Neal dropping in to left back and James Seymour moving to central defence. Ely started the half well and Alex Theobald went close with an effort from outside the box and Craig Neal put in a great delivery that Jack Saunders could not get on the end of. Ely then lost possession in the Stowmarket half and one long ball over the top caught ely out with the Stowmarket forward finishing from 25 yards. A number of questionable decisions by the ref followed this and Brady Stone was removed from the dugout for questioning the ref. Stowmarket shortly went 2-0 up when a cross from the right was finished well by a Stowmarket forward heading in from 12 yards. Ely had a great chance at 2-0 when Jack Saunders was through on goal but his shot was straight at the keeper. Stowmarket went 3-0 up scoring from a corner with the Ely defence standing watching. James Seymour then received Red for two yellow cards both for dissent towards the ref. The score soon became 4-0 when a shot was too powerful for Will Beech to keep out. Ely scored a consolation penalty when Alex Knowles was fouled in the box – although this was also a very questionable decision from the man in the middle. Jack Saunders converted the penalty.

All in all it was a bad day for Ely who were looking to build on their first 3 points gained last week. A poor display from the officials can be partly to blame but as a team lessons can be learnt from Saturdays game that chances need to be taken when you are on top in a game and discipline is just as important even when things get frustrating and go against you.