8th March 2025
Thetford Town vs Ely City @ Mundford Road - Thetford
Thurlow Nunn Premier Division (Step 5)
15:00 KO
£8 entry
Attendance - 255
Half-time score: Thetford Town 0-2 Ely City
Goals:
Ely City: Kerr - 33'
Ely City: Brown - 44'
Final Score: Thetford Town 0-2 Ely City
Following a string of away games Thetford Town finally got back to Mundford Road last weekend, but a thrilling game saw them fall to a 4-3 defeat at the hands of Woodbridge Town. This defeat puts Thetford Town in a precarious position, as 8 teams battle for the 4 play-off positions, with Downham Town taking a commanding lead at the summit of the table. Today saw Thetford Town host one of these play-off rivals, Ely City, only three weeks after a 2-1 loss in The Fens under controversial circumstances. Whilst there are still 8 games left this season it may be premature to say this, but this game certainly felt like a must win, and following the scenes in the previous game, this was a huge game for both teams!
Today's printed matchday programme had Thetford Town playmaker Cameron King on the front cover.
It was a glorious sunny afternoon at Mundford Road, and with the pitch looking well manicured things were set-up perfectly for this clash. Thetford Town lined up in their home claret and blue, with Ely City in their away blue kits.
KEY MOMENTS
TT = Thetford Town
EC = Ely City
29' - TT - Inswinging corner from King, Elliot Smith is on-hand at the far-post, but his diving header flies narrowly wide, very close!
33' - EC - GOAL (0-1) - Quick break from Ely, captain Jenkins finds Kerr down the right, he steps through a challenge and into the box before riding another challenge and slotting the ball into the net beyond Dickerson.
44' - EC - GOAL (0-2) - Disaster for the hosts as Ely City double their lead shortly before half-time. Alex Brown steps up to take a corner, he whips a curling ball in and it flies into the far-side of the goal, through the arms of the jumping Dickerson.
46' - TT - Thetford Town understandably out fast, Olpin has a go from 20-yrds, the effort is well struck but Key is able to make the save and hold onto the ball.
48' - TT - King steps up to takes a free-kick, he floats the ball into the box, close to the penalty spot Elliot Smith rises highest and flashes his header just wide of the far-post, unlucky to have not scored.
54' - TT - Thetford play the ball quickly from the right to the left, Olpin's first touch passes sets Buttle free, he takes the ball in and shoots, his low effort has Key beaten but a defender is on hand to clear the ball.
70' - TT - Thetford attack down the right, a half-hearted clearance breaks to King but his shot at the near-post is straight at Key for a reasonably comfortable save.
74' - EC - Ely break through Kerr, he blazes forwards and finds Friend, before he shoots he is dispossessed, but only as far as Kerr who had followed the play, it looked like the 3rd was incoming but his strike is deflected over the bar for a corner.
82' - EC - An Ely attack along the left ends in a good strike from substitute Cook, forcing Dickerson to make a fine stop with his outstretched leg.
89' - TT - Ball in from the right and Gilchrist snaps in a volley, he connects well but the effort is blocked, it loops out to substitute Money on the edge of the box, he also volleys in but his effort spins out wide.
There can be no complaints with that result, despite the game being close for large periods, Ely City took their chances well and as Thetford Town chased the game they laboured to create chances and seem to have lacked their spark. This carries on a poor run of form, and with the table so close making the play-offs now hangs in the balance, unless The Brecklanders can turn around their form immediately. For Ely City, the stand out player for me was Alex Kerr, he took his goal brilliantly, was a threat down the right but also performed his defensive duties well, nullifying Buttle for large parts of the game, and making substitute Grove work hard to get anything along that flank. After the game there seemed to be a scuffle in and around the tunnel area, not sure what it was about but Ely City certainly relished in their victory after the events of three weeks back, and also securing the double over Thetford Town. The games don't get any easier for Thetford Town, as they next host another top team in Brantham Athletic, can they stop the rot and get a result? I am hoping they can, the excellent Thetford Town home support certainly deserve it, here's to a big Saturday performance, UP THE TOWN!!!!
Line-Ups:
THETFORD TOWN: Ryan Dickerson, Adam Laker, Jaydyn Lott, Sam Bond (C), Elliot Smith, Jake Mann, Callum Olpin, Cameron King, Jordan Buttle, George Diggens, Dan Gilchrist. SUBS: Kieran Money, Dylan Grove, Harvey Lott, Marley Reynolds.
ELY CITY: Tyler Key, Alex Kerr, Alex Brown, Alfie Rogers, Jacob Partridge, Joe Brannan, Aaron Hamer, Sam Tagg, Toby Lawal, Louis Jenkins (C), Jack Friend. SUBS: Tom Stoker, Toby Salmon, Jevan Cook, Tatum Cartner, Alex Theobald.
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