Ely moved up to third in the Thurlow Nunn Division One table with a hard earned victory against Leiston Reserves. Harry Reynolds made his debut in goal after signing on loan from Soham Town Rangers during the week. Whilst Leiston came to the Unwin in good form on the back of a 7-0 midweek victory.

The opening 15 minutes was a scrappy affair as neither team got get a foot hold in the game on a sticky pitch after the recent rain. The first chance of the game did fall to Ely though as Craig Neal squared the ball to Ash Walter who did not fully connect with his effort from 10 yards out. Leiston were looking confident in possession and on the counter attack moving the ball quickly where they could but could not trouble Harry Reynolds. Alex Theobald was next to go close for Ely when he headed straight at the keeper after James Seymour had flicked on a Jamie Alsop corner. In the 27th minute Matty Simpson attacked into the Leiston box and was brought down by the defender resulting in a penalty to the Robins. Matty Simpson got up to take the penalty but saw his effort sail over via the crossbar. Ely were punished by Leiston for not taking the chances created when a ball ove the Ely defence was met by the left winger who raced clear and calmly slotted past Harry Reynolds giving the visitors the lead after 35 minutes. Ely looked to get back on level terms before the break but as Matty Simpson burst through from a Liam Griffin pass he could only find the side netting. HT 0-1.

For those still enjoying their half time cup of tea might have missed Ely race out the blocks and draw level after only 27 seconds of the second period. From kick Ely put pressure on the Leiston defence and Craig Neal, having switched to the right, picked up the ball from a poor clearance and advanced forward before putting the ball into the box for the onrushing James Seymour to finish. 1-1 soon became 2-1 to Ely as they were soon back on the attack and in 48th minute took the lead when James Seymour broke through the Leiston back line and past the keeper but with a tight angle to finish opted to back heel the ball to the supporting Alex Theobald who controlled and calmly finished beyond the defenders on the goal line. It could not have been a better start to the second half for Ely and the Robins were now playing with increased confidence but could not increase their lead. Leiston weathered the storm and came back into the game looking for an equaliser but a couple of goal mouth scrambles were cleared by the Ely defence. It was not until the 85th minute when Ely put the game beyond reach when Ash Walter played in James Seymour who calmly rounded the goalkeeper and slotted home. Ely could of had another penalty in the 87th minute when Martin Grey appeared to be bundled over in the box after being played through by Alex Theobald. The 4th goal did follow though in the 88th minute when Lewis Hook played a smart one two with Sam Goodge before passing to Alex Theobald who slotted past the keeper for his second goal of the game. FT 4-1

In the end it was a deserved three points for Ely but they had to fight hard for them against a tough Leiston side. Next week the Robins travel to Halstead what sees 3rd play 4th.