Ely started 2016 with an impressive away victory at Kings Lynn Reserves thanks to a cracking goal from Craig Neal. The teams started the day just 3 points apart lying in second and third place having played the same amount of games.

Ely made the trip up the A10 with several players missing. Both James Seymour and Liam Griffin were unavailable, Alex Theobald is set to miss a month due to an ankle injury, Daniel Jeffrey was ill and Spencer Saberton was nursing a sore ankle so could only take a place on the bench. Jamie Alsop came back into the starting 11 having recovered from his illness, Craig Neal came in on the left and under 18s Joe Brannan and Lewis Hook both started. Two other under 18s Luke Mansfield and Alex Brown came into the squad and started on the bench.

Ely had a good start to the game and dominated the first 25 minutes being first to the ball and looking dangerous in possession. Lynn were playing a high line that the Ely attack were trying to break through but were flag offside on a number of occasions early on. Ely won a number of set pieces inside the Lynn half but no one could get on the end of some excellent deliveries from Jamie Alsop. The defining moment of the game came in the 23rd minute. Lynn half cleared the ball but Sam Goodge rose highest to head the ball on to Craig Neal on the edge of the box, with his back to goal Craig chested the ball up and on the turn smashed a right footed volley into the top right hand corner giving the keeper no chance. A stunning goal that was met with rapturous celebrations from the Ely players. Ely looked to push on from this but it was Lynn that started to dictate the game and in the 35th minute they rattled the Ely crossbar with a strike from distance. A number of corners and free kicks followed but the Ely backline held firm making some good blocks and challenges.

The second half was a battling display from Ely as Lynn attempted to get back in the game. Ely defended well as a team and were limiting Lynn to long range efforts whilst looking dangerous on the counter attack with the pace of Matty Simpson down the right hand side. Ely introduced Luke Mansfield to the attack with 20 minutes to go and the striker nearly made an immediate impact. Jamie Alsop overlapped on the left and released Luke through on goal and he managed to take it pass the advancing keeper but under pressure from a Lynn defender his shot from the corner of the box crashed against the crossbar and rebounded to safety. With 10 minutes remaining Ely survived a scare when a goal mouth scramble following a corner led to Harry Reynolds making a great save and Ely managing to clear the danger. Ely managed to see out the rest of the game frustrating Lynn by keeping possession.

Overall it was an excellent 3 points with a goal scored worthy of winning any game.. The result shows the strength in depth and a credit to the under 18 squad we have at the club. Next week is table toppers and unbeaten Wivenhoe at home.