‘We need to stop conceding goals’ says Ely City boss Brady Stone after late Woodbridge comeback sends Robins to defeat

Ely City boss Brady Stone says his side must tighten up defensively and was left disappointed to see his side’s five-match unbeaten league run come to a halt after conceding two late goals condemned them to a 2-1 defeat to Woodbridge Town.

Saturday’s match was dominated by high winds, but the Robins took advantage of the blustery conditions and took an early lead through Alex Theobald’s sixth goal in as many games.

Chances were few and far between until late in the second half when disaster struck for Ely after Josh Sewell was given his marching orders when he handled on the line. The resulting penalty was duly dispatched by Woodbridge’s Sam Cole five minutes from time, and it seemed that Ely were destined for a second consecutive league draw.

Ely had a golden opportunity to snatch all three points when Sam Goodge went through, but the striker was denied by the Woodbridge goalkeeper.

Goodge would rue his miss as seconds later, Woodbridge went down the other end of the pitch and broke Ely hearts through 16-year-old George Bowman.

The late winner saw the Robins’ five-game unbeaten run come to an end, much to the disappointment of Brady Stone.

He said: “It was a game of two halves. We had the wind in the first half and took an early lead but we didn’t capitalise on it. There weren’t any clear cut chances and in the second half they put a lot of pressure on us.”

“It’s disappointing to concede two late goals but we’re conceding too many goals at the minute in general,” he said.

There is now even more emphasis on Saturday’s clash with Great Yarmouth Town (3pm) for Stone, as the Norfolk side have now leapfrogged the Robins into second place in the Thurlow Nunn Division One.

Stone said: “They’ve now leapfrogged us and have a few games in hand, so hopefully we can get a big crowd down to the Unwin on Saturday and get the win.”