A BATTLING performance from Ely went unrewarded at the weekend as they lost 3-1 at home to high-flyers Dereham. Ely, missing several players due to personal commitments and notably the prolific scoring capability of Sean Gilmour due to injury, started on

A BATTLING performance from Ely went unrewarded at the weekend as they lost 3-1 at home to high-flyers Dereham.

Ely, missing several players due to personal commitments and notably the prolific scoring capability of Sean Gilmour due to injury, started on the back foot and were soon 1-0 down following the open exchanges of play.

Ely, somewhat against the run of play, managed to pull the score level shortly after the setback following a fine solo run at the Dereham keeper by Matt Holden who finished calmly into the bottom corner.

Ely continued to battle against the odds and forced a number of short corners in the second-half but failed to capitalise from them. Dereham replied with some slick passing moves and created a shooting chance on the right hand side of the Ely circle which, with a miss struck shot, evaded two Ely defenders and the Ely goalkeeper for Dereham to finish calmly at the back post.

Ely held firm for the remaining part of the game until a heavy tackle by the Dereham centre forward on skipper Chris Purllant meant Ely were down to 10 men when running repairs were carried out to repair a facial injury.

In this time Dereham extended their lead via another short corner past Neil Dodsworth in the Ely goal.