ELY City will have to replay their crucial FA Vase clash with Woodbridge after they drew 1-1 amid horrendous conditions at the weekend. Though the Robins enjoyed much the better of the game, they were left frustrated by the morbid conditions which made flui

ELY City will have to replay their crucial FA Vase clash with Woodbridge after they drew 1-1 amid horrendous conditions at the weekend.

Though the Robins enjoyed much the better of the game, they were left frustrated by the morbid conditions which made fluid, attacking football almost impossible.

Frustrated boss Denis Lightning, said: "That was one of the worst matches I have seen this year, the conditions made it hard for either of the sides to play football.

"We should have had the game wrapped up in the first half but we didn't take our chances and they scored with their first real chance of the game."

Ely started the game at a searing pace and were quickly in control as the visitors struggled to deal with the movement of attacking trio Nick Impey, Robbie Mason and Scott Fielding.

Right back Adam Dalby, also impressed as time and again he delivered testing balls into the Woodford box. To their credit, Woodbridge remained vigilant in defence and managed to hold Ely at bay.

The chance of the half fell to new boy James Wallis after 20 minutes as he fired low from 12 yards, but the visiting stopper was equal to the task and the stalemate remained.

At the other end stopper Lee Pacey, had to be sharp off his line to meet an onrushing striker as a lofted ball found his way through the heart of the Robins defence.

Early in the second-half Ely's momentum was sorely checked as midfielder Liam Scopes headed the visitors in front.

Despite the setback, Ely kept at their task and were awarded a penalty six minutes later as Simon Warren was adjudged to have been pushed in the back. Tony Beck converted the resulting penalty to restore parity.

Both sides had good chances to take the win late on, with the Robins best chance falling to substitute Grant Robbins who fired over when well placed in the box.

In the 84th minute, the Robins were dealt a blow when striker Robbie Mason was dismissed for a lunge on goalkeeper Adam Wilson and Lightning's men were forced to play extra time a man short.

Tiring and battered by the miserable conditions, Ely came under fire in the last 30 minutes and might have fell behind but for the vigilance of keeper Pacey who did just enough to deny a visiting striker when clean through.

The replay took place at Notcutts Park in Suffolk on Wednesday night, for the result see www.elystandard24.co.uk.