FA Vase Bethnal Green United 1 Ely City 3

ELY City have set up a clash with big-spending Spalding United in the fourth round of the FA Vase after they saw off Bethnal Green United on Saturday.

Attacking triumvirate Richard Chadwick, Austen Diaper and Andrew Claydon were all on target for the Robins as they recovered from being pegged back late in the first half to pull away to victory.

The win sees Alan Alsop’s men through to the next round, scheduled to take place on January 19, where they will welcome Spalding to the Unwin Ground.

The Tulips have won 14 and lost just two of their 19 UCL Premier League matches so far this season and booked their place in the last 32 with a 5-1 win over Sutton Town.

Much of the early running was held up by the rain-sodden pitch and both sides were restricted to set pieces and speculative shots, with neither goalkeeper unduly troubled.

Ely were to draw first blood however, as the persistence of Claydon forced an error from the United right back, who surrendered his footing and, as a result, the ball to the grateful Ely striker.

Claydon took the ball into the box and squared for Chadwick to apply a simple finish from close range,

The hosts responded strongly and Lee Pacey was pressed into action on several occasions to deny shots from distance. There was little he could do to prevent the equaliser however, as a save from a cross-shot fell into the path of the home striker, who tapped home from inside the six yard box.

The Robins were to take a lead into the half-time break though, as Luke Parkinson’s deep cross from the wing fell at the feet of Diaper, who mopped up superbly to put Ely back in front.

United came within a whisker of pulling level early in the second half but narrowly failed to force the ball past a wall of Ely defenders as the ball broke loose in the box.

They came closer still a few moments later as a striker romped through on goal, only to be put off by the charging Pacey and fire his shot wide with the goal begging.

The win was sealed in the 56th minute when the spritely Parkinson raided down the wing once more, crossing to the near post for Claydon to poke home from close range.