Soham Town Rangers beat Ely in convincing Boxing Day win

Manager Lloyd Groves praised his team’s defensive qualities after they ran out 3-0 winners at Ely City in a Boxing Day clash (December 26).

First half goals from Sam Mulready and Ryan Sharman put Soham in control at half-time, before victory was sealed with a sumptuous Luke Brown effort on 86 minutes.

“Three goals in any game, certainly in a local derby, is a fantastic result,” said Groves.

“If we came out and played the same way in the second half as we did in the first, you allow teams the opportunity to grow into games.

“Ely had a lot of the ball and tried to put pressure on us, but we had fantastic shape and defended very well.”

Sam Spencer tries to tackle for Soham Town Rangers. (Image: Daniel Mason)

Soham were composed in front of goal, and from corners which led to headers from Mulready and Sharman to hand them a two-goal advantage.

GOAL! @ElyCityFC 0-1 @SohamTownRanger: Corner comes into the Ely penalty box. Cleared, but only to a man in green and white, and Sam Mulready is there to head the floating cross into the net from point-blank range. 19’ #greens

— Dan Mason (@DanMasonSport) December 26, 2022

They had to weather Ely’s bright restart, who had two clear chances to halve the deficit.

But the counter-attacking tactic worked well for the Greens, including for forward Ollie Ward who shone in the second half.

“Ollie is a counter-attacking player with his pace and strength, and we had a few chances,” Groves said.

Lloyd Groves thought Soham Town Rangers put in a convincing display for their win over Ely City. (Image: Daniel Mason)

“There’s always a natural hangover after Christmas, but we prepared right and played well.

“Ely are quite effective at what they do; we nullified them at source and it was a quite convincing win.”

HT: @ElyCityFC 0-2 @SohamTownRanger: A half that Soham have bettered against their neighbours. Ely unable to fathom a dangerous attack so far, despite seeing some promising moments go astray. Goals from Mulready and Sharman give the #greens a half-time lead. #robins

— Dan Mason (@DanMasonSport) December 26, 2022

Soham’s latest win is their second success in three games against Ely this season, as they leapfrogged their hosts in the Eastern Counties Premier Division.

Groves will now look ahead to another derby, this time at home to Newmarket Town on January 2, 1pm, who have eased away from the relegation places.

“They’ve strengthened in good areas of the pitch,” Groves added.

“If we put in a similar performance like we did against Ely, we’ll be okay.”

GOAL! @ElyCityFC 0-3 @SohamTownRanger: That is game, set and match for Soham. Luke Brown collects the ball in midfield and drifts towards the edge of the Ely penalty box. He then turns, shoots and finds the right corner past Sarchet’s dive. 86’ #greens

— Dan Mason (@DanMasonSport) December 26, 2022

Soham Town Rangers: Finley Iron; Dan Olive, Jordan Chipps, Faris Rhaman, Sam Spencer (C) (sub Lee Chaffey), Jordan Gent, Kai Nicholls (sub Edgar Morais), Luke Brown, Ryan Sharman, Sam Mulready (sub Ryan Auger), Ollie Ward.

Unused subs: Niall Conroy, Lloyd Groves.

Referee: Mr Ceredig Cattanach-Chell.

Attendance: 281.