Ely conceded two late goals to lose a game that they should be winning if promotion is going to be realistic this season. The defeat ended a run of 5 league games unbeaten.

Captain James Seymour started on the bench due to a minor thigh injury and Craig Neal was absent due to a knee injury.

With the strong wind at their backs in the first half Ely got off to a fast start taking the lead after 4 minutes. Daniel Jeffrey delivered a cross from the right hand side and Alex Theobald challenged the keeper with the ball falling to him to finish from 6 yards out. Most of the play was in the Woodbridge half but Ely were struggling to created any clear cut chances. Some dangerous balls were put into the box but with the wind causing problems for the home defence it was also causing problems for the Ely attackers as they could not judge the flight of the ball. Jamie Alsop had a free kick saved and then hit the bar with an inswinging corner. Lewis Hook, playing in a more advanced role, did well to charge into the box and after having a shot saved by the keeper his second attempt was cleared off the line. Woodbridge had their own chance before half as their forward broke clear and rounded Harry Reynolds but could not find the target from a tight angle and Ely cleared the danger.

The second half was in doubt of starting due to some floodlight issues but these were sorted and play resumed. The second half was again a scrappy affair with the conditions causing it difficult for all players. A great delivery from Daniel Jeffrey was met by Lewis Hook but he shot narrowly wide. Woodbridge were growing in confidence and were enjoying their fair share of possession in the Ely half. Harry Reynolds did well to punch clear an inswinging corner and saw a Woodbridge free kick clear his crossbar. As time was ticking down 1-0 seemed like it might be enough, however after a succession of corners for Woodbridge in the 85th minute one header was finding its way into the net until Josh Sewell handled on the line. A red card was shown and a penalty given that was duly dispatched by the home side. Neither team seemed content on settling for a draw as the game became very open in the final minutes. Sam Goodge had a great chance to snatch victory for 10 man Ely after being played through by substitute James Seymour but his effort was saved well by the home keeper. To make matters worse Woodbridge broke and after a cross into the box was knocked down the home attacker finished past Reynolds to give Woodbridge the lead in the 90th minute. Ely were still not finished and had a chance to equalise in the dying moments but the ball into the box was just out of the reach of Ash Walter.

So full time and a 2-1 defeat. Credit to Woodbridge who never gave up and grew into the game and in the end probably deserved something from the game for their display. However for us it is points dropped from a game we would like to think we should be winning. It is another wake up call for the squad and management team that no game in this league is easy and teams will not just roll over. Victories have to be earned through good performances.

We drop to third after this defeat and next week sees a massive game at home to second place Great Yarmouth who are now 1 point above us with 3 games in hand.