This game was one that could definitely be classed as a game of two halves as Ely let a 2-0 lead at half time slip to allow Downham to come back and draw 2-2.

Ely knew it would be a tough game away at Downham who have a fairly good home record despite their league position. Jack Saunders returned to the starting line up after missing the game on Saturday with a number of other changes made to keep the squad fresh.

Ely started well and at a high tempo pegged Downham back in their own half. An early free kick from Jamie Alsop was saved by the Downham keeper. Matty Simpson had a shot well blocked and Craig Neal also went close when through on goal. Ely won a corner and from Jamie Alsop's delivery Ash Walter flicked it on at the front post and Nathan Littlefair headed down for Matty Simpson to finish from close range grabbing his 5th goal for the club. Ely remained on top with Downham unable to cope with the passing and movement with a couple of players receiving yellow cards for late challenges. Ely increased their lead when Craig Neal set up James Seymour to finish with a great left foot strike from the edge of the area.

2-0 is always a dangerous scoreline in football and Ely knew Downham would look to come out on the attack in the second half and so they did. Ely were pinned in their own half and could not clear their lines well enough to take the pressure off. After only 5 minutes of the second half a fairly tentative shot was not dealt with by Craig Galbraith in goal and the ball found its way into the net. This lifted Downham and Ely began to look a bit nervous and were on the back foot, not winning second balls and dropping deeper. However chances for Downham were limited and as time pushed on Ely were becoming more confident in attack trying to get the third goal to kill the game off. The game was fairly even at this point but with 15 minutes left Downham won a penalty after the Craig Galbraith brought down the downham player in the box receiving a yellow card for the challenge. The penalty was dispatched and at 2-2 it was anyones game to win but with the momentum with Downham. Neither side could really create a good opportunity in the closing stages to take all 3 points so had to settle for a point each.

Unfortunately we will see this as two points dropped given the position we were in at half time and the dominant forst half display but credit to Downham for their second half display.

We travel to top of the league and unbeaten Wivenhoe on Saturday what will be a really tough test for the squad.