ELY City s title credentials will be thoroughly tested when they play the first and third-placed teams in seven days, starting with Walsham at home on Saturday. The Robins, currently second in the Ridgeons First Division, then face a potentially tricky ho

ELY City's title credentials will be thoroughly tested when they play the first and third-placed teams in seven days, starting with Walsham at home on Saturday.

The Robins, currently second in the Ridgeons First Division, then face a potentially tricky home match against struggling Downham Town on Tuesday night, before playing leaders Swaffham the following Saturday. And to make life even tougher, they will play the first two matches without key central defender Brady Stone, who is suspended.

Ely manager Dennis Lightning said: "We're are always looking to win our home games, but Swaffham are in great form, they smashed Long Melford 7-0 on Saturday, and I would be happy to come away from there with a point."

City have already enjoyed victories over Swaffham, 2-1 at home, and Downham Town, 3-2 away, this season, but they lost 4-3 at Walsham in November.

Lightning said: "We gifted Walsham three goals and have to make sure we cut out basic errors and are more efficient."

The Robins have remained unbeaten for their last 14 league games, but bad weather has caused severe disruption to fixtures.

Lightning said: "I've been a football manager for 20 years and I've never seen anything like this. All our matches have to be played by May 5 and the league won't extend the season. If we get many more games called off we may end up playing three games a week, which is hardly ideal when every point is crucial. But I'm confident that my squad has what it takes to handle the pressure.