Ely on form but still chasing leaders

SEVEN points from a possible nine over the holiday period kept up Ely City s First Division promotion drive but leaders Tiptree United took maximum points from their three games in eight days, keeping them 10 points clear. Ely City 1 Debenham LC 1 ELY hi

SEVEN points from a possible nine over the holiday period kept up Ely City's First Division promotion drive but leaders Tiptree United took maximum points from their three games in eight days, keeping them 10 points clear.

Ely City 1 Debenham LC 1

ELY hit the woodwork four times in the opening 45 minutes, but still found themselves trailing at half-time.

City got back on terms when Andy Pettit scored his first goal for the club in the 65th minute.

The ball fell loose in the Debenham penalty area, and Pettit reacted quickest by rifling a shot into the top corner to make it 1-1.

That was the way it finished, and City boss Lightning was disappointed by the result. "It was two points lost rather than one gained," he said afterwards.

Godmanchester Rovers 1

Ely City 3

ELY again had to come from a goal down at the break to gain a positive result in their visit to Godmanchester.

The hosts went in front with a powerful header from a corner, but Ely took control and managed to equalise in the 55th minute through substitute Simon Warren.

Fellow substitute Tom Pell then put Ely ahead for the first time, and Dave Smith wrapped things up with an excellent shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Long Melford 0 Ely City 4

ON Saturday, it was comparatively plain sailing for the Robins as they overcame a young Long Melford side on their own patch.

Andy Pettit's first half double put Ely in control, and Dave Smith added a third goal five minutes after the break before eventually wrapping up a 4-0 win with his second of the game.

"If it hadn't been for their 'keeper and the woodwork," said Lightning afterwards, "we'd have won by six or seven.