Ely City Clinch 4-3 Victory Over Haverhill

Ely City won a rollercoaster home victory against Haverhill Rovers, helped by some dramatic refereeing decisions during their Ridgeons Premier League match on October 4.

'The Robins' took the lead after 25 minutes when Adam Murray headed home an Adam Dalby free-kick but Rovers equalised just seven minutes later when former QPR defender Stuart Wardley knocked the ball past keeper Lee Pacey from close range. Ely immediately regained the lead through Austen Diaper, following a goalline fumble by keeper Michael Bavester. Soon after the break striker Richard Chadwick put the home side 3-1 in front with a well-taken finish.

Scott Lodge scored for Rovers just before the hour was up, volleying home a cross from Jack Wilkinson, but a controversial penalty enabled Luke Parkinson to put Ely further ahead in the 77th minute, giving the home side a 4-2 lead and leaving the Rovers players feeling aggrieved at the decision. Soon afterwards Haverhill went down to ten men when 37-year-old Wardley was red carded for violent conduct.

With three minutes left on the clock, Dan Cornwell gave Rovers a lifeline, scoring from Wilkinson's long throw, but after the visitors were denied a penalty appeal in added time, Ely hung on through the final moments of the game for a 4-3 victory. The result moved them to eighth place in the table and they still have several games in hand over many of the teams above them.