ELY City opened up a gargantuan 13 point lead at the top of Division 3NW after a 4-2 win over Cambridge Nomads. Ely raced into an indomitable 3-0 lead within the first 10 minutes and never looked out of control as they proved too good for a robust Nomads

ELY City opened up a gargantuan 13 point lead at the top of Division 3NW after a 4-2 win over Cambridge Nomads.

Ely raced into an indomitable 3-0 lead within the first 10 minutes and never looked out of control as they proved too good for a robust Nomads side.

With promotion into the upper echelons of regional hockey awaiting Ely, they were keen to ensure there was to be no mistake and, as so often has been the case this year, they employed swift attack as the best form of defence.

The home side took the lead just two minutes into the game as Tommy Hugo brushed aside a number of defenders to poke past the imposing Nomads goalie.

The lead was soon doubled as, seemingly overawed by their lofty opponents, Cambridge were caught cold on the break and allowed Feroze Abbas to nip in to register.

With 10 minutes on the clock and with Ely in full control the lead was extended once more as, following a penalty corner, Charlie Kisby rifled home amid a cluster of bodies.

Ironically at 3-0 down, Nomads began to find their feet and they managed to give themselves a glimmer of hope going in at half-time as they ably converted a penalty.

Ely's half-time team talk was doubtless headlined by a need to put the game beyond reasonable doubt and they did just that minutes after the break as Kisby once again netted, this time from long range.

With a sizeable cushion in the score line, the home side eased off the pedal and were contented to concentrate their efforts on staying in front. The reduction in Ely's attacking intent inevitably lead to a renewed effort from the visitors, and so it proved as they cut the lead to two with another well-worked goal.

Cambridge were buoyed by their breakthrough and began to enjoy some decent passages of play as they pushed ahead. Ely met their challenge with gusto however, and they held their resurgent visitors at bay long enough and well enough to secure the win.