Ely travelled to Needham Market Reserves to face the leagues bottom side. Nathan Littlefair returned after missing the Wivenhoe victory and Sam Goodge was back in the squad after missing the last 5 games through injury. Jamie Alsop and Luke Mansfield were both unavailable.

Although bottom of the table Ely could not under estimate their opponents as with many of the young reserve teams in the league they have some very capable footballers. The pitch was in a state that was not suitable for playing pretty football and the first 10 minutes was very scrappy with the young Needham side battling well and frustrating the Robins. On 12 minutes a kick from Harry Reynolds found Craig Neal on the left who was able to control and cut inside beating a couple of defenders before reversing a pass into the path of Alex Theobald. As Alex went to round the keeper the home custodian was able to get his studs on the ball diverting the Ely striker wide and allowing a home defender to get back and make a goal saving challenge. After 15 mins a confrontation between the two sides occurred following a challenge from Ash Walter on the edge of the home sides box. Ash and a home player were both booked for the parts they played in the altercation. On 28 minutes Harry Reynolds was called upon to make an important save as a Needham striker was allowed too much space to divert a header goalwards. This gave the visitors a much needed wake up call and after some good build up play Ash Walter found himself one on one with the home keeper but his shot hit the bar and went over for a goal kick. Matty Simpson then had a well taken shot that just went wide of the post. On 43 minutes Craig Neal found space on the edge of the area and his left footed shot was heading in the bottom corner of the goal until the home keeper managed to tip it around the post. From the resulting corner Craig Neal delivered a great ball that James Seymour rose highest to head home and give the visitors the lead before half time.

The lead was soon doubled at the start of the second half. A poor clearance by the home keeper was headed forward by James Seymour to Alex Theobald who was able lift the ball past the keeper and head home. Ely went in search of a third goal and Matty Simpson had a shot block after being set up by Alex Theobald. Sam Goodge was brought on and should of had a penalty after rounding the keeper and being brought down but the decision was a corner kick. Joe Brannan went close from the resulting corner as he headed just over from the back post.

Overall a solid 3 points marking our 11th straight victory and 5th clean sheet in a row. On Saturday we have a tough away game at Leiston Reserves.