Report by Harry Davies

Ely City suffered their first defeat in over seven matches as Hadleigh United came from behind to
win 2-1 at the Unwin Ground.

The Robins took the lead less than ten minutes in as Hadleigh failed to clear their lines when Kelvin
Enaro’s pass was converted by Daniel Jeffrey.

However, goals from Tom Driscoll and Michael Barwick put the visitors ahead before the break, and
it remained that way come the final whistle.

At first it looked like a common convention of Ely’s home games was being lived up to, as both
teams started well off the pace. That was quickly proved wrong though, when Daniel Jeffrey
grabbed his first league goal of the season nine minutes into the first half.
A defensive error from Hadleigh’s James Gaffer meant Kelvin Enaro could square the ball across the
face of goal to an unmarked Jeffrey, and with the keeper chasing down Enaro, Jeffrey easily
slotted the ball home into an empty net.
The home side came close to doubling their lead soon after, when Kelvin Enaro almost went from
provider to goal scorer. Daniel Jeffrey played a great through ball towards Enaro, who turned his
man and was charging towards Hadleigh’s number one. Trying to chip it over Mansfield, Enaro’s
effort bounced off the top of the crossbar and out of play.
Just two minutes had been played after Enaro’s effort rattled the crossbar, and Hadleigh punished
the Robins for not putting away their chances. A lofted ball from Gaffer, who made up for his
previous error, was met by Sam Sharp at the back post. Robins goal keeper Harry Reynolds did a
fantastic job of denying Sharp’s volley, but he couldn’t keep out Tom Driscoll’s follow up shot and
Hadleigh had got their all-important equalising goal.
Brettsiders captain Garry Burdett had been relatively quiet up top, however this was quickly brushed
aside when he set up Michael Barwick to steer Hadleigh into the lead. After Ely gave the ball away, a
simple low cross from Burdett out wide was met by Barwick in the middle of the box who was
unmarked. He drove the ball home leaving Reynolds helpless and infuriated at his team’s defence.

The second period was a contrast of the first, as Hadleigh understandably decided to focus on
defending their lead instead of pushing men forward.
Ely struggled to gain any sort of momentum, but Matty Simpson almost tied
things up fifteen minutes from time. A clearance from the Hadleigh defence fell perfectly to Simpson
twenty-five yards out, volleying it with speed and power Mansfield could only palm the ball away.
With less than ten minutes to play, Hadleigh decided to move their striker and captain Burdett into a
center-back role, creating a five at the back formation.
In the third minute of additional time, Ely’s George Darling sent the ball towards the back post
where Tom Williams managed to flick it on goal bound. Defender Nathan Littlefair managed to get a
prod on the ball, however he sent it crashing off the post, and referee Lee Grimsey blew his whistle
for full time shortly after.

The win had no change on either sides position in the Thurlow & Nunn League table, but it did signify
Hadleigh’s first win in seven matches, and Ely’s first loss in seven matches.

Ely: Reynolds, Saberton (Brooks, 70), Alsop (C), Walter, Williams, Littlefair, Enaro, Simpson,
Theobald, Darling, Jeffrey (Hunt, 70)
Hadleigh: Mansfield, Ross, Gaffer, Barwick, Elliott, Artiss, Veitch (Lambert, 91), Driscoll, Burdett (C),