Ely City Secure A Draw in First Round of League Cup
RIDGEONS LEAGUE League Cup First Round Halstead Town 1 Ely City 1 (after extra-time – Halstead won 5-4 on penalties) HALSTEAD gained revenge for a similar defeat at the hands of Ely last season as they came through on penalties in last week s First Round
RIDGEONS LEAGUE
League Cup First Round
Halstead Town 1 Ely City 1 (after extra-time - Halstead won 5-4 on penalties)
HALSTEAD gained revenge for a similar defeat at the hands of Ely last season as they came through on penalties in last week's First Round encounter.
City lost goalkeeper Tim Catley with a hamstring injury after just 20 minutes, and Dean Blackman took over between the posts.
Turner's effort was cleared off the line by Jamie Alsop in the closing seconds of normal time, but it was Ely who broke the deadlock two minutes into extra-time when Robbie Mason's header eluded the goalkeeper.
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Bryan levelled the scores soon afterwards however, and it finished 1-1 at the end of 120 minutes.
In the shoot-out Halstead converted their first three attempts, but City missed twice and looked out of contention.
Halstead then failed three times in succession however, and Ely got back on terms through Russell Flitton and Lilley.
Stephen Bell was subsequently denied however, and that meant that San Lee's spot-kick proved to be the 5-4 winner.
Premier Division
Wroxham 3 Ely City 1
CITY'S Andy Pettit missed a third minute penalty in this match after a foul on Simon Warren, and that proved crucial as Wroxham eventually claimed the points.
"We bossed the first 25 minutes," said Ely boss Dennis Lightning afterwards, "and we can match most teams in this league, but if they score first we tend to lose a bit of belief in ourselves."
Cook's corner went straight in off the far post to give the hosts a 1-0 interval lead, and further goals from Crane and Key put the result beyond doubt before substitute Dan Archer - a recent signing from Junior club Linton Granta - scored a late consolation.
"They (Wroxham) 'footballed' us to death in the first 25 minutes of the second half," groaned Lightning. "We had a slight wind at our backs, but for some reason we defended deeper and deeper."
Ely entertain Walsham-le-Willows in the league on Saturday.
