Ely returned to league action with a well deserved 3-2 victory away at afc Sudbury reserves.

It was our first ever competitive game on a 3G surface as we visited afc Sudbury. Jamie Alsop came in to the starting line up after signing at the start of the week.

Ely started well and were in front after just 3 minutes when Matt Simpson pick the ball up and travelled before shooting from 25 yards to find the bottom corner via a slight deflection. Ely controlled the game from this point creating a number of chances but could not find that second goal. Then on 20 minutes Sudbury levelled when their right winger scored from about 30 yards out lobbing Craig Galbraith in the Ely goal. Things got worse for Ely as the goal seemed to sent the confidence and Sudbury went ahead as there forward was allowed to advance into ely box and finish calmly into the bottom corner. Ely found themselves 2-1 down when chances created were about 15 to 2 in our favour. Ely did rally after this and Liam Griffin found himself one on one but the Sudbury keeper saved. Sam Goodge headed straight at the keeper from a Craig Neal cross. Ely were level though on 42 minutes when Ash Walter picked out Craig Neal in the box who set up the on rushing James Seymour to finish cooly past the keeper. Half time 2-2.

The second half was not as open as the first half and Ely were not dominating as much as they were first half but still were creating the better chances. Spencer Saberton had the ball in the net following a ball into the box from Jamie Alsop but was ruled offside. Matt Simpson hit the bar from a tight angle on the right and Alex Theobald could not pick out Craig Neal after being played through. Jack Saunders and Lewis Hook came on to change things up. Ely hit the post when Josh Sewell found himself in front of goal following another set piece. Jack Saunders shot narrowly wide from the edge of the area and Matty Simpson saw an effort hit the side netting. The pressure finally paid though as Ely got the winning goal in the 82nd minute. A neat bit of play found James Seymour who played in Jack Saunders who calmly finished past the keeper much to the delight of the Ely players and fans. Ely managed to see out the remaining of the match with just one scare with an appeal for handball in our box but other than that kept the ball well and Sam Goodge nearly wrapped things up with a left foot shoot into the side netting. Full time 3-2.

It was a deserved 3 points for Ely against a resilient young Sudbury side. Next up is Fakenham away in the league cup on Wednesday night.