On a warm August afternoon at 'The Unwin' the scene was set for the'Robins' to put their dismissal recent F.A Cup record behind them and kick start their new season. Unfortunately, this was not to be case and a disappointing overall display showed signs that after last season's success this season their will need to learn and learn fast that you cannot continue to give cheap sloppy goals away to better opposition.

Strangely enough the first five minutes saw Ely start on the front foot and were moving the Rangers side around from side to side. Deeping gradually got into their stride and as it did the pressure started to mount with chances not being taken by the away side.

Ely did create an attempt on goal when a Matty Simpson's overhead kick forced Rangers keeper Richard Stainsby to tip the ball over the bar, but as like Tuesday night this was the only chance on target throughout the first half

Eventually in the 15th minute the break through for Deeping came when Ely did not really clear their lines fully and when a through ball on the half way line was played up to Rangers number 10 Stuart Coupland his mis-control surprised Robins centre back Tom Williams and the ball came off him into the path of Scott Mooney who played a clever pass into the now advancing run of Coupland who despite Harry Reynolds in goal getting a good block on it the ball spun into the empty net.

It was soon two four minutes later when on the Deeping right hand side from a throw on they neatly passed their way around a static Ely defence line and Ben Lewis calmly slotted the ball home from an advancing Reynolds.

Ely could not keep a hold of the ball and this led to Brady Stone changing formation just to try and get a foot hold in precending's . The change did not really help as Deeping seemed the more likely to score again with a couple of opportunities . A James Seymour header from a Daniel Jeffrey cross was the nearest the home side went to reducing the scoreline, but his header went wide

Deeping continued to knock on the Ely door and went close on a couple of occasions and again Harry Reynolds coming to the rescue at the feet of Coupland.

The game was put out of Ely's reach in the 45th minute when a Deeping corner was again not cleared fully and Ben Lewis picked up the ball and swung a quality right foot cross back into the box and at the far post Scott Mooney powered above Tom Williams to send the ball past Reynolds into the keepers left hand side of the goal.

At the beginning of the 2nd half saw Brady Stone make all three substitutions bringing on Lewis Hook,Joe Brannan and Joe Peacock to try to rescue something from the game.Straight away this had a impact when Joe Peacock working well down well down the Ely right and his cross was met by Mason Newman who's attempt was tipped over by the Stainsby in the Deeping goal.

In fact it was an Ely attack that produced Deeping's fourth in the 57th minute when a clearance from the Deeping defence out onto the right hand side produced some slick passing and the ball found its way onto the left where advancing left back Tom Smith played a delightful ball into the path of Stuart Coupland who calmly slotted home.

Deeping continued to create chances with the home side never really creating anything concrete. Ely did eventually claw one back in the 76th minutes when a Lewis Hook shot hit the bar and the rebound caused meyhem in the Deeping box and in the scramble the Assistant Referee noticed a handball and the Referee awarded a penalty to the dismay of the Deeping defenders. Joe Peacock stepped up to get his first goal for the club with a calmly taken spot kick

The drama was had not finished when a Deeping shot on the left hand side was only parred by Harry Reynolds in the Ely goal and as he tried to recover he brought down Deeping substitute Will Bird to concede a penalty. Captian David Burton-Jones stepped up but thundered the spot kick onto the bar and to safety.

The tie finished with a couple of yellow cards firstly to Robins Matty Simpson was booked for a late challenge on Luke Avis and in the same incident Deeping's left back Tom Smith received one for ungentlemanly sportsmanship for throwing the ball at an Ely player

All in all a very disappointing afternoon for The Robins but they must learn quickly how to defend and manage the game better to improve on the last outings .Good luck to Deeping Rangers in the next round

Ely City Football Club

Ely City Football Club

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