Needham Prove Too Strong For Robins

ELY City s recent run of good form was brought to an end on Saturday as they went down 2-0 at Needham Market. Two goals in a frantic opening 20 minutes all but put paid to Ely s hopes of a third successive win, as Needham took advantage of some slovenly d

ELY City's recent run of good form was brought to an end on Saturday as they went down 2-0 at Needham Market.

Two goals in a frantic opening 20 minutes all but put paid to Ely's hopes of a third successive win, as Needham took advantage of some slovenly defending to notch up an impressive victory.

The loss sees Ely slip to 15th place in the Ridgeons League Premier ahead of their clash with Mildenhall on Tuesday.

Needham took the lead after just three minutes as striker Darren Bethell latched on to a measured through ball to slot past keeper Lee Pacey. The home side kicked on in the wake of the goal and had several good chances to extend their lead.

The home side finally doubled their advantage after 20 minutes as Rhys Barber rose highest to nod home a pinpoint cross.

Robins' captain Simon Warren should have cut the deficit to one seconds before half-time but his reaction effort from close range failed to test the keeper after the ball broke loose from a freekick.

The Robins breathed a sigh of relief on the hour mark as Needham spurned a decent one-on-one chance and Denis Lightning's men went closed still through Nick Impey, whose low shot was blocked on the line.

Despite the game opening up in the last 10 minutes, neither side proved able to find the net.