‘Draw the least we deserved’ says Robins boss after Stanway clash

Ely City 1 Stanway Rovers 1

Ely City boss Brady Stone said a draw was the least his side deserved from their encounter with Stanway Rovers, at the Unwin Ground, on Saturday.

Despite creating a number of decent openings, Ely were unable to make the breakthrough and found themselves staring down the barrel when the visitors took the lead in the 75th minute through Philip Boyland.

But the renewed fighting spirit that has become something of a trademark for Ely in the last few months of the season was in evidence again as they pulled level in the final minutes of the match, through Sam Goodge.

The striker sent a shot thundering towards goal from 30 yards but an outstretched hand on the edge of the box stopped the ball in its tracks and a free-kick was awarded.

And Goodge made the visitors pay by curling home the resulting dead ball to earn Ely the point.

Stone said: “We knew Stanway were a big and physical side and they set up to play a 4-2-4 so we did really well to stop them getting it forward. We restricted them to just a few chances.

“They took the lead with about 15 minutes to go with a free header, which was disappointing from our point of view, but we kept going and got our goal in the last few minutes, which was the least we deserved.

“We have defended much better as a team in the last few months and you can see from the start of the year that the results and the performances have improved.”

Ely’s last league match of the season takes place on Saturday, when they travel to Wivenhoe Town, who have also been relegated.

Stone said: “We have told the lads that we will be looking for promotion next season so it will be a good test against Wivenhoe, who we may well be playing again in Division 1.”