Thetford Town 1 Ely City 2

THE Robins’ recovery from a poor start to the season continued on Saturday as they struck a 90th minute winner to down Thetford.

At the start of October, Alan Alsop’s side had just two wins from their opening nine games but back-to-back victories over Gorleston and Thetford in the last week has kick started their league campaign.

Saturday’s win, courtesy of strikes from Andrew Claydon and Richard Gammon, catapulted Ely from the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division relegation zone and up into 12th place, with the visit Eynesbury Rovers to come in the FA Vase on Saturday.

It took little more than 20 seconds for the hosts to steal into the lead as a slumbering Ely defence allowed a flighted ball down the left channel to find its way to a home striker, who fired across the returning Lee Pacey.

Alsop’s were not unduly phased by falling behind however, and continued to test the home goalkeeper, with Claydon, Nick Impey and Austen Diaper all seeing shots saved.

Ely’s pressure paid off in the 20th minute as midfielder Josh Curry played long to Claydon in the Thetford area, with the striker producing a cute finish to lift the ball over the advancing goalkeeper.

Claydon had a second goal ruled off for an alleged push after getting on the end of a Ben Lawrence long throw, while Thetford continued to look dangerous on the break.

The teams traded blows throughout the second half but it was Ely who were to have the final say as, on the cusp of full time, Taz Chisango found time and space enough to cross for Richard Chadwick, the striker heading into the path of Gammon, who helped the ball over the line.