Ely returned to league action with a 4-0 victory against bottom of the league Needham Market Reserves.

A minute silence was held before the game in respect of Phil Beeton, brother of Under 18s manager Dave Beeton, who tragically passed away last week.

In a very much one sided game it was a twenty minute spell in the first half that did all of the damage. The first 15 minutes was very scrappy as Ely struggled to get into any kind of rhythm. Alex Theobald had a goal ruled out for offside and Spencer Saberton was denied by the keeper when he probably should of scored. Ely continued to press with a very young Needham side offering little in attack. The breakthrough came after 23 minutes when Craig Neal weaved into the box and cut the ball back to James Seymour to finish from 6 yards. The goal relaxed Ely and the goals flowed before half time with Matty Simpson grabbing a hat trick in 13 minutes. His first was set up again by Craig Neal who laid the ball across the front of the area for Matty to strike the ball low and hard in the far corner. The second was the best of the games as a well worked move involving Liam Griffin and Lewis Hook allowed James Seymour to set up Matty Simpson to curl the ball into the top corner from the edge of the box. The hat trick was completed in the 41st minute when a ball forward was not dealt with by the Needham defence and Matty Simpson pounced to strike the ball home from 18 yards out.

The second half saw Ely having all the possession but this could not be turned into anymore goals as chances were created but not taken. Matty Simpson had the ball in the net but was ruled out for offside and Sam Goodge went closest to scoring with the keeper denying him.

Full time 4-0 to Ely and overall it was a fairly comfortable afternoon for the Robins. We now head into another league game on Tuesday away to Downham Town, before heading to top of the league Wivenhoe on Saturday.