Ey City survived a late onslaught from FC Clacton to pick up their first three points of this year’s league campaign.

The match epitomised a game of two halves, as Ely could have easily been three goals to the good at the break, but the visitors Clacton improved on a poor first half display in the second.

Ely were without their captain and go-to left back Jamie Alsop, as the defender suffered a knee injury earlier in the week against Histon. So, it was up to Craig Neal to drop back from his usual attacking duties, and take up the number three shirt.

The Robins should have broken the deadlock just 14-minutes into the game, as Nick Heap’s cross found Tom Williams who was unmarked in the box, but much to the centre back’s frustration he could only steer his open header over the crossbar.

A replica of the previous chance Ely missed was converted by forward Sam Reed just before the half-an-hour mark. Neal delivered a fantastic cross to Reed who composed himself, then smashed home from 12-yards out to give his side the lead.

The next few minutes that followed Reed could have well had his hattrick. A drilled shot from outside the penalty area was well-saved by Clacton keeper Luke Avnell.

Joe Moore did a good job to cover his keeper’s tracks and deny Reed moments later, as the forward knocked it past a charging Avnell following a through ball, but Moore was first to the second touch to clear the ball away.

Clacton started brightly in the second half, and Terry Rymer almost levelled it up when he got on the end of Billy Wales’ cross, but from 6-yards out his poor effort was struck well over the crossbar.

Ely substitute Tom Thurlborn made an instant impact, almost setting up Reed for his second goal. He squared the ball from the other side of the penalty area leaving Reed with a golden opportunity, but his shot bounced back off the post.

Five minutes from full-time and Clacton finally had the ball in the net. A brilliant run out wide from Jake Plane saw him cross the ball to Michael Runicles in the box who smashed it past Harry Reynolds, but to the disappointment of the away side the goal was ruled out for offside.

Ely will be looking to carry over the same type of form to their away match on Tuesday against Haverhill Borough, before returning to the Ellgia on Saturday to play Walsham le Willows.

Ely: Harry Reynolds, Daniel Jeffrey, Craig Neal, Liam Griffin, Tom Williams, Ollie Brookes, Josh Sewell, Ash Walter (C), Sam Reed (Finley Logan, 80), Alex Theobald (Matt Simpson, 77), Nick Heap (Tom Thulborn, 59)

Clacton: Luke Avnell, Tyler Smith (Zack Smith-Walters, 66), Billy Wales, Charlie Thompson, Lee Clowsey (C), Joe Moore (Harvey Cowley, 45), Jake Plane, Lovi Nenland, Terry Rymer (Tom Austin, 72), Michael Runicles, Charlie Lindoe

Report by Harry Davies