Report: 2nd XI Men vs Ely City 2 – October 19, 2024

Spalding 2s returned back to Surfleet off the back of facing the top 3 teams in the league to the challenge of newly promoted Ely who come into the game with confidence from good results in their opening games.

Spalding got the game underway, but it was Ely who started stronger with Spalding sluggish with a couple of new players to the team trying to get settled in. Ely were able to take advantage of scoring in the first 5 minutes. Spalding slowly built into the game later into the first half and after a couple short corners Harry Walsh’s drag flick found the bottom corner leveling the score. Nearing the last 5 minutes of the half Ely snatched a second goal to head into the break 2-1 up.

Ely continued well into the start of the second half getting a 3rd goal which finally woke Spalding up. Within 10 minutes of Ely’s third goal Spalding had built into some strong attacking plays creating chances with a slick move through the Ely defence being finished off by Tim Maltby. Heading into the last 5 minutes of the game Maltby grabbed his second of the game to bring the game to 3-3 and put Ely on the back foot who were able to hold off the Spalding attack and nearly get a winner in the last minute, but putting it wide to finish a draw.