Ely entertained Division One Cambridge Rangers in the first round of the Alan Boswell League Cup on Saturday, writes Chris Gibson.

Having been drawn against Rangers, this is the highest opposition Ely have played in their third year of existence. This was going to be a test of the Women's impressive squad after a great start to their league campaign.

And they nearly had the perfect start, Natasha Lane was played in behind by Beth Horsfield and as she drove into the box, her effort was kept out at the near post by the Rangers goalkeeper. 

Rangers instantly looked to play their way back and a dangerous ball played over the top had to be blocked away by Ellie Cooper and then Kerry Dyer. 

Cambridge did get the opener as the pressure paid off, the forward found space outside the area and her lofted effort found its way over Tiff Toynton and dropped under bar for 1-0.

Ely instantly hit back though, as they kept possession from kick-off, Kel Docwra was given the ball inside the centre circle and her ball into the left found Danni Youngs inside the full back, she turned inside and lashed an unstoppable effort off the near post from a tight angle. 

Cambridge started to get back on the ball and put the ball around, Dyer did well to block a cross, then a long ball between the defenders was swept up by Toynton. 

On 25 minutes, the pressure told and Cambridge got their second when the ball wasn't picked up in the middle of the Ely midfield and placed through to the forward, a weak effort however trickled past the dive of Toynton and in off the post.

And they didn't take their foot off the gas as Ellie Cooper and Em Cooper both had to be alert to keep out the attacks on the left.

Youngs thought she found a way back in, her quick turn in the area saw her strike at goal, this time the keeper smartly blocking at her near post. 

Ely continued to try get another goal back to their credit, not shying away but Cambridge punished that when the winger got to the byline and delivered a great cross to see the striker get in front of Toynton and head home.

On the stroke of half time, Youngs earnt a corner, which Docwra delivered. It was cleared as far as Lane, who struck an effort on goal but the keeper easily saved. 

Half Time, 1-3 to the Division One side. 

Second half saw the introduction of Poppy Green, who instantly impacted. Good hold up play by her and exchange of passes with Youngs saw Docwra played in, but an unfortunate slip before she could get her shot away, stumped the attack.

Rangers put pay to the idea of an early Ely come back, adding a fourth on 51 minutes, a corner from the impressive Rangers winger was cleared back to her, and then she returned a wonderful cross to an unmarked defender who nodded home unchallenged. 

Ely made a raft of changes, switching up their formation to try get back another to make it interesting. But on the hour, Cambridge got a fifth, after a flicked on header back to Toynton left El Cooper and her keeper in  confusion and the Rangers striker nipped in, appeared to foul Cooper who fell to leave an unmarked forward tap home for 5-1 and probably at this rate an unassailable lead.

Ely to their credit gave it their all and weren't just shutting themselves up nor crumbling. Docwra delivered for Finch to head just on to the top of the bar and Green went close with a snap effort. And on 67 minutes Finch laid off to Docwra in space, for her to unleash a rocket over the keeper for 5-2.

Rangers tried to fight back, a long ball deceived Cooper, Kaci Gibson with a last ditch challenge blocked the ball away before recovering to block the rebound and then clearing. City continued to press in the Rangers half with a brave end to the game, but the referee bang on 90 minutes blew up to end the tie. 

Brave and hardworking performance from the Womens team against the side two divisions up, but a lot can be taken from this experience and as always, the heart and effort by the team leaves encouragement for the rest of the season.

Team; Toynton, Dyer, Cullen, El.Cooper, Em.Cooper, Lane, Lloyd, Harwood, Horsfield, Docwra, Youngs. 
Gibson, Bailey, Finch, Hollingworth, Green.


Final score: Ely City Women 2 - 5 Cambridge Rangers.