Cannon & Cathedral An advantage of having a wife who 'gets' my passion for non-league football is that she comes up with ideas like today. As I have pointed out many times, the majority of my live action is midweek. Weekends are family time. However, the opening day of the season is sort of special and my wife came up with a plan to combine family and football time.
The question she posed 'Is there a game somewhere that we haven't been, where we could have a little day out as well as you taking in a match?'. As it happened, a perfect fixture leapt off the pages of the NLP. Ely City v Framlingham Town.
You couldn't really find a better one. A new ground for me, a team playing it's first ever Step 5 game (Framlingham). A cathedral (since a recent trip to Wells, my daughter likes visiting cathedrals), it is an historic city with plenty to keep the family occupied and the ground is within walking distance of the city centre. So it was that we found ourselves heading 81 miles East on Saturday lunchtime, towards The Fens and new ground number 159.
The question she posed 'Is there a game somewhere that we haven't been, where we could have a little day out as well as you taking in a match?'. As it happened, a perfect fixture leapt off the pages of the NLP. Ely City v Framlingham Town.
You couldn't really find a better one. A new ground for me, a team playing it's first ever Step 5 game (Framlingham). A cathedral (since a recent trip to Wells, my daughter likes visiting cathedrals), it is an historic city with plenty to keep the family occupied and the ground is within walking distance of the city centre. So it was that we found ourselves heading 81 miles East on Saturday lunchtime, towards The Fens and new ground number 159.
Oliver was 'ere After a brief wander around the city, a visit to Oliver Cromwell's house and then a little bit of lunch in the cathedral cafe, I left the girls to their day and headed off towards the Ellgia Stadium, home of Ely City FC. The ground is situated on the outskirts of the city (remember, it is a very small city), about 25 minutes walk from the cathedral. It is part of a sports complex that appears to incorporate almost every sport under the sun. Ely Tigers RFC, a golf club, tennis club and did I see squash? It is also adjacent to what looks like a very new edition to the city, the Isle of Ely, a village of restaurants, fast food and entertainment. This new entertainment village has also provided a very useful underpass from the city, under the busy A10, and into the entertainment areas. All in all, an impressive array of eateries, entertainment and, best of all, sport facilities. Well played, City of Ely. The football stadium itself is a very tidy, compact ground. Most of the facilities are on the entrance side of the ground, accessed though a single turnstile. Immediately as you enter, on your right is the main stand, which rises quite high above the ground and has seating for 150. Next to this stand is the clubhouse, which has some sheltered areas immediately outside (handy on a baking hot day like today). There is also a small covered area to the left of the entrance, which has a few benches in, but is mainly a covered standing area.
Welcome A little introduction to the two sides in action today. Hosts Ely City, founded in 1885, joined the Eastern Counties League in the 1960-61 season and have played in the league ever since. They have won Division One once in their history as well as being Division One Cup winners once. They have been something of a yo-yo club over the years, suffering four relegations and the equal number of promotions. Since they returned to the top flight two season ago, they have finished 13 and 14th but have also had their best ever FA Vase run (5th Round) and won the Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup for the 4th time in their history.
Framligham Town, The Castlemen, were promoted from the Ipswich & Suffolk League three season ago, entering the Eastern Counties structure for the first time since their formation in 1887.
Framligham Town, The Castlemen, were promoted from the Ipswich & Suffolk League three season ago, entering the Eastern Counties structure for the first time since their formation in 1887.
A wife behind bars They finished a creditable 7th in the first season and then obtained promotion to Step 5 as runners-up last season. There are a couple of interesting facts about both the club and the castle of Framlingham. First of all, the club purchased their floodlights from the Sizewell B nuclear plant. Now, I guess they have heard this before, but does this mean that their lights glow even if they don't switch them on? That could save a pretty penny. The second, and not so interesting fact, is that I and my then pregnant wife, visited Framlingham Castle during a East Anglian holiday in 2009.
Main Stand And so onto the game and Framlingham Town's introduction to Step 5 football. The recent weather meant that the pitch was dry and hard, through no fault of the club, I should add. It was a very warm, still day. Not the best conditions for a game of football.
Framlingham started really well. They looked sharper and far more threatening than Ely. However, despite having a lot of the ball, they couldn't make the home keeper work. Star striker, Danny Smith looked very dangerous. Quick, and incisive, but he couldn't find that final ball. He seemed to be the one making the chances, whereas Framlingham would probably have preferred him to have been on the end of them.
Most of Ely's play focused on number Jamie Thurlbourne, who was working hard to gain a grip on the midfield and was, certainly in the first half, involved in almost every Ely move.
25 minutes in, and with the score still 0-0, the referee, very wisely, called for a drinks break. I knw that some people feel that this little bit 'nanny state, but, I can tell you, it was hard work just standing, watching in the sun. I really did not envy these players and they must have been getting seriously dehydrated after 25 minutes of running in this weather.
As the half wore on, Thurlbourne was starting to pull more strings and his team-mates were also getting more into their stride. Ely were definitely coming into the game more as the half progressed.
Framlingham started really well. They looked sharper and far more threatening than Ely. However, despite having a lot of the ball, they couldn't make the home keeper work. Star striker, Danny Smith looked very dangerous. Quick, and incisive, but he couldn't find that final ball. He seemed to be the one making the chances, whereas Framlingham would probably have preferred him to have been on the end of them.
Most of Ely's play focused on number Jamie Thurlbourne, who was working hard to gain a grip on the midfield and was, certainly in the first half, involved in almost every Ely move.
25 minutes in, and with the score still 0-0, the referee, very wisely, called for a drinks break. I knw that some people feel that this little bit 'nanny state, but, I can tell you, it was hard work just standing, watching in the sun. I really did not envy these players and they must have been getting seriously dehydrated after 25 minutes of running in this weather.
As the half wore on, Thurlbourne was starting to pull more strings and his team-mates were also getting more into their stride. Ely were definitely coming into the game more as the half progressed.
Cathedral in the background Comedy moment of the first half came when Ely were awarded a free-kick for a foul. The Ely player, who had taken a knock to head, was still getting up as they tried to take a quick free-kick, succeeding only in belting the ball into their recently stricken colleague. As the ball ran loose the Framlingham right-back, thinking that the referee was going to make them take the kick again, picked the ball up, only for the referee to award a fee-kick against him for hand ball. What annoyed the Framligham bench most of all was that, if their player had controlled the ball, he could have played in one of their strikers as the home defence was absolutely wide open.
HT Ely City 0 Framlingham Town 0. A good start from the visitors but Ely looking more dangerous as the half progressed. Not a classic but good entertainment for neutrals.
HT Ely City 0 Framlingham Town 0. A good start from the visitors but Ely looking more dangerous as the half progressed. Not a classic but good entertainment for neutrals.
Ellgia Stadium. It doesn't slope. Just shoddy camera work Ely came out for the second half looking to continue their growth into the game. They didn't have too long to wait before their resurgence paid off when a deep cross from the left was met by Deaken Napier, at the far post, who volleyed the ball past the keeper. 1-0 after 51 minutes.
Framlingham heads didn't drop but you sensed they needed to get an equaliser quickly if they were to stay in the game. They were getting noticeably less of the ball than the first half, possibly more because Ely had upped their game rather then Framlingham had dropped their standards. As the clocked ticked past the hour and headed towards the 70th minute mark, an equaliser was starting to look more unlikely. Suddenly, however, The Castlemen sprang into life. A little bit of pressure on the home goal was half cleared to the left flank, Max Willett swung over a lovely cross and there was Anthony Johnson to power home a header. 1-1 after 69 minutes and a perfect time for a second-half drinks break.
Framlingham heads didn't drop but you sensed they needed to get an equaliser quickly if they were to stay in the game. They were getting noticeably less of the ball than the first half, possibly more because Ely had upped their game rather then Framlingham had dropped their standards. As the clocked ticked past the hour and headed towards the 70th minute mark, an equaliser was starting to look more unlikely. Suddenly, however, The Castlemen sprang into life. A little bit of pressure on the home goal was half cleared to the left flank, Max Willett swung over a lovely cross and there was Anthony Johnson to power home a header. 1-1 after 69 minutes and a perfect time for a second-half drinks break.
Ely pile on some pressure The drinks seemed to invigorate both teams and, immediately after the restart we had some fine end to end action. First of all Lewis Hook's diving header for Ely was touched onto the inside of the post by Sam Chivers, before he managed to grab the ball on the line. Then, in the 72nd minute, less than a minute after Ely had almost re-taken the lead, home keeper Evan Jeckells was forced to make a sharp stop at his near post. From the resulting corner, Jeckells was again called into action to prevent the way side taking the lead.
It looked as if we were heading for a stalemate until, in the 86 minute, the referee had no option but to award a home penalty as Hook (my view was slightly obscured, so it may not have been) was bundled over in the box. Up stepped Lee Reed to send the keeper the wrong way to make it 2-1.
Then on the stroke 90 minutes, with Framlingham somehow finding the energy to press for a second equaliser, Ely hit them on the break down the left, before pulling the ball back for Reed to expertly stroke home his second and Ely's third. 3-1.
There was still enough time for a little bit of 'handbags' before the end, but it only led to a yellow card and was soon calmed down.
FT Ely City 3 Framlingham Town 1. Ely ultimately deserved their win. After Weathering Framlingham's blistering start, they played their way into the game and scored a couple of very nice goals. Both sides worked incredibly hard in what must have been very tough conditions to play football in. This was only my second Eastern Counties League game and, I have to say, I have enjoyed both immensely (the other was Godmanchester v Felixstowe a couple of seasons back). It a shame that the majority of sides in this league are just that little bit too far, especially as I watch most of my football in midweek. I must, however, make an effort see a few more games.
Best wishes to both sides for the rest of the season.
Ely City (All Red): Jeckells, Dalby, Alsop, Walter, Williams, Lee Reed, Napier, Hook, Thulborn, Jeffrey, Thurlbourne. Subs: Brannan, Sam Reed, Heap, Griffin
Framlingham Town (Green & White hoops): Chivers, Poacher, Willett, Thorpe, Johnson, Mayhew, Boardley, Matt Aldis, Smith, Kerridge, Driver. Subs: Evans-Hendrick, Abraham, Borg, Brooks
Att: 81
Ground Number: 159
Entrance: £7.00
Programme: £1.00
It looked as if we were heading for a stalemate until, in the 86 minute, the referee had no option but to award a home penalty as Hook (my view was slightly obscured, so it may not have been) was bundled over in the box. Up stepped Lee Reed to send the keeper the wrong way to make it 2-1.
Then on the stroke 90 minutes, with Framlingham somehow finding the energy to press for a second equaliser, Ely hit them on the break down the left, before pulling the ball back for Reed to expertly stroke home his second and Ely's third. 3-1.
There was still enough time for a little bit of 'handbags' before the end, but it only led to a yellow card and was soon calmed down.
FT Ely City 3 Framlingham Town 1. Ely ultimately deserved their win. After Weathering Framlingham's blistering start, they played their way into the game and scored a couple of very nice goals. Both sides worked incredibly hard in what must have been very tough conditions to play football in. This was only my second Eastern Counties League game and, I have to say, I have enjoyed both immensely (the other was Godmanchester v Felixstowe a couple of seasons back). It a shame that the majority of sides in this league are just that little bit too far, especially as I watch most of my football in midweek. I must, however, make an effort see a few more games.
Best wishes to both sides for the rest of the season.
Ely City (All Red): Jeckells, Dalby, Alsop, Walter, Williams, Lee Reed, Napier, Hook, Thulborn, Jeffrey, Thurlbourne. Subs: Brannan, Sam Reed, Heap, Griffin
Framlingham Town (Green & White hoops): Chivers, Poacher, Willett, Thorpe, Johnson, Mayhew, Boardley, Matt Aldis, Smith, Kerridge, Driver. Subs: Evans-Hendrick, Abraham, Borg, Brooks
Att: 81
Ground Number: 159
Entrance: £7.00
Programme: £1.00
RSS Feed