The Robins made a couple of changes to their side following last weeks defeat to Cardea, with new signing Megan Dunlevy coming into the side, as Poppy Green also returned up front.
Ely started positively, with Docwra and Beth Horsfield both firing at the Manea keeper early on. The home sides aggressive high press saw Green intercept a short ball out by the Manea defence, but her effort on goal was blocked.
It didn’t take long for things to heat up between the two sides, as previous games have been edgy over the last 3 seasons. A ball into Dunlevy on the far side saw her clattered from behind, and as she appealed saw her hair tugged from the Manea full back. The Ely debutant flung out an arm in anger catching the offending player and was shown the red card for retaliation. The hair tug went unpunished as Ely reshaped with 10 after only 12 minutes.
City dug in and instead of closing up, they put Manea on the back foot with their high press and energy.
Their relentless pressure told, on 25 minutes good work off the left side saw a ball in to Youngs. She weaved herself inside before powering an effort past the keeper for 1-0.
The Sirens tried to hit back, a long ball over the top looking for the forward saw the Robins’ Kerry Dyer make a crucial block, before Ellie Cooper cleared.
Ely continued their high forward press, as Youngs again got in between defenders exchanging passes with Horsfield, but the return ball was cut out.
As the game continued to be fractious, silly fouls crept in, breaking up any flow of the game toward half time. There was a late chance for Manea, a ball over top dropped short off a back pass, Tiff Toynton reacting superbly outside her area to calmly head and chest down before volleying clear to keep it 1-0 Ely at the break.

Second half, The Robins Women started where they left off – early pressure as they looked to dominate. Green was played in by Youngs, but she dragged her shot wide. Manea did have an early effort too in attempt to draw level, another long direct ball was played in behind. As Manea’s prolific forward Portugal shaped to shoot, Dyer again swept across and blocked away. Ely dominated the possession and the territory and started to create more chances. Youngs again turned creator, after a clever one-two with Horsfield saw young Beth drive in at goal but fired her shot over.
10 minutes later, Manea found themselves on the edge of the Ely area, a deflected effort on goal looked to have wrong footed Toynton, but she readjusted at tipped wide.
On 75 minutes, Ely put the game to bed after their asserted dominance and one foot in the semi finals. Great pressing again from the forward line saw Lane, Harwood and Green combine. Green played in Docwra, who waltzed her way into the box, stepped aside the last defender and slotted home for 2-0. City kept pressing for a third against a tired Sirens side, the togetherness thriving on each players effort. Natasha Lane had a late chance to add the gloss to the performance, but she dragged her shot just wide of the far post.
Ely carried their dominance to the end, camped in the Manea half as they saw out the game comfortably to secure their place in their first semi-final since their founding 2 seasons ago.
The energy throughout the game always kept Ely on top and although Manea bravely defended, the Robins didn’t take their foot off the gas despite the player advantage of the opposition.

Team; Toynton, Dyer, Cooper, Cullen, Horsfield, Dunlevy, Harwood, Lane, Docwra, Youngs, Green.
Subs; Gibson, Lloyd, Bailey, Pillow, Chandler.