GOOD EFFORT FROM TEAMS BUT ELY FAIL TO MAKE ANY NATIONAL FINALS

Ely played in the National Cup qualifiers at under 15s, 17s and for the first time 20s.

First match of the day was the under 17s semi final against Herne Bay a team that beat Ely in the league the previous week. Ely had early chances but it was Herne Bay who took the lead which they then doubled. With 3 minutes before half time a cruel rebound off the back wall unsighted Hattie Ford in goal and a dubious high stick saw Herne Bay go 3 – 0 up. The second half was dominated by Ely but despite 2 directs they could get past the Herne Bay goalie who ended man of the match.

Game 2 was an under 15s quarter final against Bury. Ely defended well at the start but Bury took the lead with 5 minutes of the half to go, they doubled this just before half time. The second half started tight but Bury found a third. Ely were getting plenty of chances and finally got a goal when a good pass from Paul Masterton was finished by Ryan Norton. Ely pushed to get back into the game but Bury were too strong letting one more goal in for a creditable 4 -1 against a side who later beat Herne Bay United to make it to the final.

The under 20s was a new experience with Elys side all at under 18 age and Peterborough having 5 members of the England under 20s squad, most also play Premier League. However it was only in the latter part of the first half that a Peterborough slapshot put them in front.  A ‘soft’ penalty made it 2 -1 . Ely dug deep and Max Dunand found a goal to make it 2 -1 at half time. The second half started poorly with Peterborough getting a goal within 10 seconds. Ely battled hard but were given a dubious blue card sin bin, James Bayes saved the resulting direct but Ely then went 4 – 1 down during the power play. Another blue card became a red for answering the ref back and Ely were up against it. They battled to the end eventually losing 6 -1 a good result against the standard of opposition.