Joao Varela’s first half double helped propel Ely City back to winning ways as they began 2023 in perfect fashion. 

Varela’s brace and a late Lawrence Mullins-Hammond strike secured a 3-1 Eastern Counties Premier Division win at Haverhill Rovers on January 2 to move into the top half. 

That victory came seven days after Ely’s three-goal reverse at home to Soham Town Rangers on Boxing Day, and were keen to improve against bottom-placed Rovers. 

Debutant goalkeeper Tyler Key was in fine form to keep Haverhill at bay after Varela had slotted home two goals, both one on one, past ‘keeper Frank Gammon. 

Rovers halved the deficit in first half stoppage time when Nathan Scarborough headed home. 

But Ely pounced late on to earn an eighth league victory so far this season. 

A goalmouth scramble was tidied up by Mullins-Hammond for the Robins, who welcome Harleston Town to the Demcom Stadium on January 7, 3pm.