Missed penalty costs Ely City as Woodbridge Town triumph

Three goals after the break from Woodbridge Town meant they would be taking three points from the Demcom Stadium in a 3-0 Eastern Counties Premier Division success on February 18.

But it could have been a different outcome had a 32nd-minute penalty from Ely's Josh Townshend was not saved by goalkeeper Alfie Stronge to make it 1-0.

Josh Townshend missed a first half penalty to put Ely City 1-0 up against Woodbridge Town. (Image: Daniel Mason)

And Josh Townshend has missed the penalty, Stronge diving to his bottom right to deny the #robins captain. Golden chance for Ely to seize the initiative. 32’

— Dan Mason (@DanMasonSport) February 18, 2023

“We don’t feel like you’d look at 3-0 and think Woodbridge were much better than us,” said Ely joint first team boss Guy Habbin.

“I’m not sure if we were on top [when penalty was missed], but after the penalty, we still looked dangerous.”

Ely came into this contest off the back of two 3-0 defeats at Ipswich Wanderers and Norwich United, and looked lively in search of a response.

The likes of Bernardo Felgueiras and Joao Varela caused trouble for Woodbridge’s defenders with intricate attacking play.

But the visitors countered through Mark Ray’s header, before a tap-in for Kade Ivatt and Taylor Southgate’s header confirmed a fifth league defeat in seven for City.

READ MORE: New Ely City joint manager impressed after Mildenhall draw

FT: @ElyCityFC 0-3 @Woodbridgetown: A second half blitz sees Ely remain without a home win in 2023 and a fifth defeat in their last seven league games. Woodbridge lucky to not go behind, but were clinical where it mattered. #robins hope for better at home on Tuesday night.

— Dan Mason (@DanMasonSport) February 18, 2023

“We felt our game plan counteracted what they were trying to do,” said Habbin.

“I felt the second half was massively disappointing; we didn’t find the passes that got us into positions to attack in the first half.

“I think it’s ironing out minor faults in our game, maybe set plays, because they’re the ones that are costing us points.”

After losing 4-2 to Norwich United on February 21, Ely go to Hadleigh United on February 25, 3pm.

Ely City: Key; Hamer, Edwards, Diaper, Munro, Wyman, Felgueiras (sub Gomes, 74’), Jenkins (sub Moir, 87’), Townshend (C) (sub Hudson, 63’), Hida (sub Wilson, 46’), Varela (sub Farrow, 74’).