Over 2 - 2 Ely City Reserves (Over win 6 - 5 on pens) 

Before anything is said about todays match a special mention must go to Richard Dewsbury who sustained a nasty break to his right leg. Alll who are connected with the reserves send Rich our best wishes and hope that he overcomes this nasty injury.

Ely welcomed back David Harvey to the starting line up today and had a strong looking bench as well for the cup semi final away at Over. This was the fourth meeting between these two sides this season with Ely winning all three of the previous games.

It was Over that started at the higher tempo and were in Ely's faces stopping them from playing. Serveral early Over attacks saw them put pressure on the Ely goal but without success. Ely started to get more into the game and created a few of their own chances. Over then had a goal dissallowed for offside. It was Ely who got the first goal, good work by Jose down the right led to a fine cross that was superbly headed home by Dave Cornwall. Ely held strong for the remainder of the half to go in 1 up.

The beginning of the second half saw Over attacking the Ely goal but the defence stood firm. Ely were looking for the second goal on the break away and David Cornwall nearly got it with a fine run and shot that forced a good save from the home keeper. Then the sour point of the game, Rich Dewsbury made a strong challenge in the middle of the pitch but collapse in agony with what looked like a very nasty break to the right leg. The game was held up for about 45 minutes as the emergency services were called to see to Rich.

Once the game resumed with only 17 minutes to play Ely were slow to get going again and were punished as Over equalised with 10 minutes remaining. The last 10 minutes saw Over pushing for the win but could not find the second goal. FT 1 - 1.

First half of extra time was again Over on top and they took the lead, Ely did not repond well and the game became very scrappy with Over time wasting and frustrating Ely. Ely did however have a stone wall penalty turned done by the referee as Polly was tripped in the box

Second half of extra time and Ely had nothing to lose and pushed more men forward. Over seemed content to try and keep the ball in the corners rather than go for the killer goal. Ely were failing to creat any chances with only one shot from Corny. With time running out it look as though Ely were heading out, however Corny was fouled in the box and the ref pointed to the spot with only 3 minutes left. Martin Grey stepped up and kept his nerve to fire the ball home from the penalty spot. FT 2 - 2.

On to penalties - Over scored, Polly missed, Over scored, Follen scored, Over scored, Corny scored, Over missed (Follen saved), Jose scored, Over scored, Spud scored. 4-4 and in to sudden death. Over scored, Martin Grey scored, Over scored, Salmons missed - a fine save by the Over keeper.

So Over won 6 - 5 on penalties and Ely missed out on the Cup final they wanted so badly. A big thanks must go to the Over player who help Rich with his injury, and the teams thoughts are with Rich.

After the reserves 3 nil away win against Wisbech the previous week they claimed another three points on their travels away at Needingworth.

Ely were not at their best through out the game but did enough to claim a 4-0 victory against a hardworking Needingworth side. Ely could have took the lead on a number of occasions in the first half but chances were not converted. Ely finally got the breakthrough when a good move was finished from close range as Spud headed in a Ritchie Murfitt cross. Ely lost Simon Farrow during the first half after a nasty challenge and was replaced by Jose in centre midfield as the reserves were down to the bare bones of their squad. HT 1-0

The game was won in the opening 10 minutes of the second half as Ely's passing and movement tore Needingworth apart. Spud scored with another header after a fine move and Ritchie Murfitt got the third firing in at the back post. Ely took there foot off the pedal and only added one more to their tally through Sean Monegatti's first goal for the reserves. FT 4-0

Wednesday 13 Feb - Reserves at home to Waterbeach. Ely will welcome back David Harvey and Joe Barham from suspension but will now be without Simon Farrow for a number of weeks as the injury sustained revealed a fracture to the ankle.

The reserves played only their second game of 2008 and progressed into the semi finals of the challenge cup at the expense of Wimblington from the Peterborough League.

The reserves last game was 9 January when they were held to a 1 - 1 draw at home to Cottenham in the league with Spud scoring the equaliser for Ely. With cancellations and a free weekend Ely came back in to action with this quarter final tie.

Ely were without David Harvey and Martin Grey through suspension, plus Rory Hutton (ill) and Gary Dewsbury (Long term injury). ely started with Follen in goal, Polly dropped in at right back, Joe Barham partnered James Salmons in the centre and Ants Brumby stepped up from the A team to start at back. Across midfield Ely had Jose, Rich Dewsbury, Simon Farrow (Gerrard) and new signing from the under 18s Sean Monigatti. Up front was Spud and Liam Hart with corny, Ritchie Murfitt and Dan Mitchell on the bench.

Ely started well and were having much of the possession without testing the wimblington goalkeeper. Spud came closest with an attempted overhead kick. Wimblington took the lead after 25 mins when their striker raced through and finished well. This upped Ely and they soon equlised through Spud after good work from Jose. Ely managed to take the lead just before half time as James Salmons headed home from a corner.

Second half and everyone knew the next goal would be important, and after 5 minutes of the restart it came to Ely as Jose hit a cross come shot that flew into the far top corner. With half hour left Ely introduced Ritchie and Corny. These two linked well for Ely's forth goal that corny finshed well. Wimblington managed to grab a late consolation before Ritchie scored the final goal of the game, after good work from Corny. Ely finished with 10 men as they lost both Gerrard (cut eye) and Danny Mitchell (dislocated thumb) through injury.

Next week the reserves are back in league action as they visit Wisbech. Ely will be away to Over in the Semi Final on Feb 16.

Ely claimed victory in this local derby that entertained the large crowd at the Unwin ground.

Playing against the wind in the first half Ely flew out the blocks and took an early lead after only 5 minutes when David Cornwell slotted home one on one. However it was not long until Littleport were back in the game as they scored with a volley from 25 yards. A fairly even first half ended with Littleport taking the lead as Ely's defence allowed a through ball to the untracked winger who rounded Follen and scored. HT 1 - 2.

Ely knew that they were no means out of the game and were confident of creating chances in the second half with the wind behind. After a fairly nervy first half performance Ely controlled the second period as they got the ball down and played football that stretched Littleport's defence. After 10 minutes of the second half Polly equalised with a shot from inside the box. It was not long until Ely took the lead as the Littleport defence misjudged a long ball in the wind allowing Corny to race through and convert to put Ely in front. As Ely tooked the lead it looked as though there would only be one winner with Rich Dewsbury and David Harvey controlling the midfield and Ely's defence dealing with the visitors long ball tactics. Littleport did hit the bar from a corner with the score at 3 - 2, but not long after Ely killed the game off. A penalty was awarded for hand ball that Martin Grey confidently dispatched to make it 4 - 2, and then as Littleport pushed forward Ritchie Murfiitt ran through on the break to make it 5 - 2 with just under 10 minutes left. Littleport grab a consolation with basically the last kick of the game.

An excellent second half performance by Ely ensured that they were victorious in the first eagerly awaited derby of the season. 

Ely had a convincing 5 - 0 victory against Newmarket that moves them up into third. With a big game against Littleport on Saturday Ely rested a few with Spud, Polly and Rory all on the bench. That meant that Ritchie, Gerrard and Jose (making his first start) all came into the starting 11.

Ely seemed fairly subdued in the first half as they struggled to get their passing game going on a boggy pitch against a combative Newmarket side. Few chances were being created by either side but it alsways looked as though Ely would score first, and they did after 25 minutes when Martin Grey headed home from Ritchie's free kick. This should have spurred Ely on but instead they became sloppy and the half ended with Newmarket on top.

A few stern words at half time and Ely came out a much better side. After only 5 minutes of the second half Ely double their lead when Martin Grey played the ball down the right for Danny Mitchell to cross for Jose to head in from 10 yards for a goal on his home debut. Ely went on to dominate the game and bought on Rory and Polly for the last 20. Polly made an instant impact scoring two goals, the second a fine finish from just inside the box. With 10 minutes remaining Ely bought on Liam Hart for his first appearance since the opening game of the season due to illness. Liam's hunger to be back involved showed and he deservedly score Ely's fifth with a calm finsh from insid ethe box. FT 5 - 0 and another good three points for Ely

Saturday 1 December Ely are at home to Littleport Town, 3pm KO. Get down and support the side in what should be an interesting local derby!

Ely travelled CUP knowing that they would be in for a tough game against a decent side that had knocked the reserves out of a premier cup a few weeks earlier. Ely were also well aware of CUP's excellent home record, not having lost a game at home since January 06. However Ely were in confident mood and welcomed back David Harvey, Andrew Lee, Stephen Pollard and Ritchie Murfitt who had all missed last week's game. Also in the squad was new signing Jose Mendes-Monteiro.

The game started with neither side taking control with the majority of the play in the middle of the park. Ely created the first opening when Polly was released down the right and shot straight at the keeper who parried, but Ely could not force in the rebound. 17 minutes gone and the game completely changed as david harvey was shown a straight red for a lunging challenge in the middle of the park. Some heated confrontations as a result put an edge to the game. Ely reverted to a 3-4-2 formation allowing them to continue to attack and for the rest of the half you could not tell who had the extra man as Ely battled and worked hard all over the pitch. With 5 minutes remaining of the half Ely took a lead that their hard work deserved. Joe Barham floated in a free kick that Corny flick on to his strike partner Spud who controlled and finished calmly from 10 yards. However Ely had keeper Leigh Follen to thank for going in one up at the interval as he made a superb point blank save with seconds of the half remaining. HT 1 - 0 to Ely

Second half Ely knew that they had to dig deep and work hard as a team as they knew the footballing ability in the CUP side. CUP were camped in Ely's half for much of the second half with Ely looking to snatch one on the break. Chances came CUP's way but brave defending, excellent goalkeeping and some wayward long range shooting meant that Ely were keeping the home side out. With 15 minutes remaining CUP were awarded a bizarre penalty as a foul outside of the box was given by the ref some 10 yards from the incident, however the linesman was waving his flag from 30 yards away and said that it was inside. However justice was done as Follen saved the penalty. Ely looked as though they were going to gain victory but 6 minutes of stoppage time was played (who knows where 6 minutes came from) and CUP equalised in the 96th minute as nearly every CUP player on the pitch was inside Ely's box. FT 1 - 1.

On reflection a draw was probably a fair result but it is always difficult to take when an equaliser comes so late on. It was an excellent battling performance by Ely who came so close to breaking CUP's home record and with only 10 men for over 75 minutes of the game.

Ely are at home to Newmarket reserves on Weds 28 Novemeber, 7:45 ko. Following that is a local derby at home to Littleport on Sat 1 Dec, 3pm ko.

Ely City Reserves have been drawn at home to Wimblington, of the Peterborough Premier League, in the quarter final of the Challenge Cup after beating Fulbourn away in the last 16. This will be the sectond Peterborough League side that Ely have to face after meeting Whittlesey in the second round.

Ely won through to the quarter finals thanks to a late winner from Danny Mitchell away to Fulbourn. Ely deserved their victory as they dominated the game from start to finish despite missing up to 8 regulars through suspension, injury and police custidy! (No more to say on that).

Ely are up to fourth in the league after an excellent away win at Over on 10 Novemeber, winning 2 - 1 thanks to an own goal and a great finish from David Cornwell. However the next league game is away to CUP on 24 November who have not lost a home game in over 25 matches spanning back to Jan 2006. Ely will be looking for revenge though as CUP knocked the reserves out of the Premier cup at the beginning of November with a 2-1 victory at the Unwin Ground.

The reserves returned to winning ways after dominating this game from start to finish. Ritchie Murfitt opened the scoring in the first half as Ely were creating chances. Leigh Follen missed a penalty as the hosts went in 1 - 0 up at the break. Second half was a similar pattern as Ely created many more chances, Andrew Lee scored Ely's second with a header and then scored the third with an easy tap in from six yards. Wickhambrook were then reduced to ten with goalkeeper being sent off. Ely wrapped up the game with a another headed goal, this time from Rory Hutton.

The reserves entertain CUP on Weds 7 November in the quarter final of the Premier Cup, KO 7:45pm.

Ely City Reserves lost their third league game this season at home to Eaton Socon. Ely were without a host of regulars who were attending former player Matt Ashdons wedding, this list included centre back pairing Jamie Smith and Martin Grey, Joe Barham, Stephen Pollard, Andrew Lee and Andy Chatters. Into the side came Rich Dewsbury returning from injury, and Brady Stone and Dean Blackman came in from the first team squad to help out. Gary Dewsbury also started but was not fully fit.

After 5 minutes gary dewsbury was forced off through injury and Elys only sub, Simon Farrow came on. A fairly dire half of football saw Ely take an early lead through David Cornwell only for Eaton Socon to equalise soon after. HT 1 - 1.

Second half Ely improved and were camped in Eaton Socon's half but could not find the back of the net missing a host of decent chances. This in turn cost Ely as Eaton Socon scored a winner on the break late into the game. After Eaton Socon scored Ely thought they had equalised only for the goal to be ruled out for offside, a decision that left many bewildered.

Next week the reserves are at home to Wickambrook when they will look to get back to winning ways.

Ely City Reserves beat Wisbech Town Reserves 3 - 1 thanks to a hat trick from David Cornwell that moves them up into third in the Kershaw Cambs Premier.

Cornwell scored two goals in the first half, his first finishing well from the edge of the box after good build up play involving Ritchie Murfitt. The second was a clinical finish one on one after a through ball from Martin Grey. Wisbech got a goal back before half time making it 2 - 1 at the break. Cornwell completed his hat trick midway through the second have when he finished from 8 yards out from Chatters cross. FT 3 - 1 to Ely.