Ely City 2 Gt Shelford 0 [28 Jan @ 12:44am]

So, finally we have a result to this Cambs. invitation cup game, but I would think that any impartial observers at tonight's game could be excused for wondering which team was which. The sides are very closely matched and I was left wondering whether we should be in their league or they in ours. Also, unfortunately, I was given the impression around the Ely ground that they thought it was our fault that this game was replayed yet again. To those that believe that let me just remind them, it was not our lights which went out in the first game, it was not us who called the replay off three times because the ground was unfit and nor was it us that played an illegible in the next replay and it is stated clearly in the rules who can and who cannot play. Anyway what a performance from the Gt Shelford lads on what was a shocking, energy sapping surface. Today we were without skipper Mark Columbus who was unavailable centre half Shaun Davies injured and Darren Bates working as well as Tony Beck illegible to play in this game. Todays line up was as follows:- P Peachey, I Rush, J Lambert, G Jones, R Woodrow (capt.), P Baird, M Reeder, L Farrington, B Harradine, C Smith and B Murray on the bench were M Bruges, A Walter, S Holden and B Cook. So with P Baird making his first start for the 1st team Gt Shelford started brightly with Paul Baird making his pace tell early on as he began to give the Ely left back nightmares. Mark Reeder and Louis Farrington began to win more than their fair share of the ball in midfield and much of Shelford's early attacking was down the right hand side. At half time with the score at 0-0 it began to look like an upset could be on the cards, in fact most of the visiting supporters who began by thinking that the task would be a little to much for their team were actually starting to think that they were supporting the better team. In the second half Ely were able to exert a little more pressure but whenever they did breach the Shelford defense they found 'keeper Phil Peachey in the form of his life he certainly had his best game since joining the club today. It looked as though the visitors were about to take the lead midway through the half when Chris Smith got away, one on one with the 'keeper as he was about to slot the ball home his legs were taken away by a vicious challenge from behind, a certain penalty, no given. Full time 0-0. So, into extra time, with both teams tiring play became a little scrappy. The 10 minutes in, a crucial moment in the game a slightly short back pass to the 'keeper, Phill Peachey sprinting from his line slipped which allowed just enough time for the Ely player to slot into an empty net. Buster Harradine almost equalized when, after a bit of trickery he turned and hammered the ball at the target only to see it buried into the 'keepers midriff. Anyway a great effort by all. Man of the match? I really would not want to pick one. Phil Peachey was excellent, Ian Rush was his usual reliable self, todays skipper Ricky Woodrow led by example and had a fine game our two centre halves Gareth Jones and Jordan Lambert were so dominant it was unbelievable. Paul Baird had a debut which must have been better than anyone could have hoped while on the left Buster Harradine was ever dangerous Louis Farrington worked had to defend and create from midfield alongside the impressive Mark Reeder. It was tough for the two lads up front but both Chris Smith and Benny Murray worked tirelessly throughout. Marlon Bruges did well when he came on as did Ashley Walter whose fresh legs added a bit of impetus. They should all be proud of themselves today because lets not forget we did play against a team two leagues higher than us.