Ely men come unstuck as ladies' East League run continues

The men’s first team had won five of their seven matches since promotion to Division Two North West of the East League, but came unstuck at Bourne Deeping on Saturday. 

Ely came under pressure but scored a breakaway goal with a deflected pass from Stuart Kirk beating the goalkeeper. 

A solo effort from Joe Clarke and a strike from a short corner gave Ely a 3-1 half-time lead, but lost their shape after the break. 

The hosts scored five times, including three goals from short corners, and Ely captain Tim Reynolds feels defeat was tough to take. 

He said: “Losing 5-3 from a 3-1 advantage was hard to take but we are still doing well since promotion.” 

Ely host Cambridge City 4ths this Saturday, 12.45pm. 

Ely City Hockey Club's under 8s team. (Image: Supplied by Ely City HC)

Ely 2nds came away from St Neots 2nds with victory in Division Four North West. 

Patrick McHugh’s first half strike was followed by goals from Craig Hall and Alex French, as Ely welcome Bourne Deeping 3rds to Downham Road on Saturday. 

But it was defeat for Ely 3rds who, despite goals from Jack Tisi and Sam Evans, went down 5-2 at home to Long Sutton 3rds in Division Five North West. 

City go to Bourne Deeping 4ths on November 19. 

Ely City Hockey Club's Under 12 Girls team. (Image: Supplied by Ely City HC)

In the ladies’ section, Ely first team’s unbeaten run in Division Three North West was ended by league leaders Cambridge City 5ths who won 3-0. 

Ely are at home to Cambridge South 4ths on Saturday. 

Meanwhile, Ely 2nds’ unbeaten run in Division Four North West continued at home to Cambridge South 5ths. 

Sam King opened the scoring for City, before Sarah Sutton forced a shot home before half-time. 

Cambridge did pull a goal back, before Emily Underwood struck to earn a 3-1 win ahead of a trip to St Neots 3rds this weekend. 

Ely 3rds lost 1-0 to Cambridge South 6ths in Division Five North West. 

Ely City Hockey Club's Under 14 Mixed team. (Image: Supplied by Ely City HC)

Meanwhile last weekend, Ely’s under 8s, U10s, U12s and U14s junior sides travelled to Newmarket to play against Newmarket, Cambridge South and Cambridge Nomads. 

Coach Julia Gilbert said: “The improvement in all the teams was noticeable by all as the juniors’ confidence and experience of playing in match situations increases.”