Felixstowe & Walton FC known as ‘The Seasiders’ came to Ely on a bit of an unpredictable day, weather wise, and football wise, they, in truth struggled from the first minute as Ely showed strength, persistence and control. The pitch was heavy from the rain and it was difficult to pass the ball around on the ground which certainly didn’t suit the visitors style and the Robins were quickly the dominant force. There was an early warning in the eighth minute when the ball was played out to Josh Bridgeman who was unmarked on the right and he drilled a shot inches wide of the post. Two minutes later ‘Seasiders’ Pemberton unceremoniously halted Luke Parkinson as he made ground on the left and collected a yellow card. The opening ten minutes had set the tone for the match with Ely being so very dominant. Ely continued going forward and it was no surprise when they took the lead in the 24th minute. It started when a Felixstowe corner was cleared up field with the result that the Seasiders conceded a corner at the other end. Another followed in quick succession and when the ball was driven across the visitors goalmouth, no-one got a touch until it reached Darren Coe at the far post. He slammed it low and hard into the net from six yards. Ten minutes later Richard Chadwick crossed into the area and Adam Murray, who had got forward at the near post, reacted quickest to fire across Plummer, in the Felixstowe goal, into the corner of the net, to make it 2 - 0. There was more joy for ’The Robins’ four minutes later as former Seasider Andrew Claydon was given time to control and fire past the Seasiders ‘keeper from the edge of the six yard box. The halftime break saw Ely 3 - 0 to the good and in total control
Half time came and went but the game carried on in the same vein. A speculative 40 yard effort from Chris Sterecki flew over Plummer but rattled off the top of the visitors cross bar. Ely made it 4 - 0 as Porky Claydon added his second and Ely’s fourth. He chased down a through ball, holding off defenders and then hitting an effort that found its way inside Plummer’s near post. Ely did take their foot of the gas a bit and the Seasiders packed out the midfield a bit more and for the last 20 minutes came into the game more, even getting a few efforts towards goal. There were no more goals and Ely collected all three points. This was a comfortable win for a team that played really well. It should be hoped that this will give the boys more confidence and move the team on to even more exciting winning ways .