With Tatum Cartner suspended and Alex Kerr again missing through injury, with Baba Camara, Antwan Ebanks-Blake and Dom Hunt returning to the starting 11.
With the wind whipping from right to left in the first half, it was a scrappy start.
Brantham created their first chance when a long ball over the top saw the Imps forward one on one with Tyler Key, the City keeper blocking well with his legs.
Ely, with the wind behind them then had a chance from a long throw, but Alfie Rogers couldn’t direct his header with any power on goal.

They then went close twice in 5 minutes as firstly Tom Stoker did well from an angle, but saw his shot slice into the side netting, before Jack Friend got in behind, beating the keeper to the ball, but his effort over the Imps stopper dropped the wrong side of the post. Midway through the half, Brantham started to turn the screw, as good play down the right between full back and winger saw a ball played across the box, but the Blues striker blazed over from 10 yards.
The conditions caused the game to become scrappy, the rain saw players slip and the wind was playing havoc with the balls flight.
Both issues saw Brantham nearly take the lead, a long ball deceived Rogers and then Jacob Partridge slipped on the edge of the Ely area; but the forward stumbled as he drew back to strike at Key.

Key then did well to turn away an effort from the winger who evaded a challenge inside the area to strike.
On the half hour, the home side on run of play deservedly took the lead. A long ball through the middle saw Rogers and the Blues forward go for a ball on the edge of the box, the ball seemingly bouncing off the Brantham players hand and sitting up for him to get away and strike under Key.
Much to the protest of the Ely players, the goal stood.
Ely had a great chance to bring things level, Aaron Hamer delivered a pinpoint cross field ball to Stoker, who’s knockdown for Friend saw the strikers fierce effort deflected just over.

As the half drew to a close, there was a chance for the home team to double their advantage but Key was out well to smother a one on one with the centre forward to keep the score 1-0.

HT: Brantham Athletic 1 - 0 Ely City

Second half the rain continued to fall and the wind stronger as Brantham doubled their lead 3 minutes in. Great play again down the right hand side, saw the winger deliver a pinpoint cross to the front post where the forward controlled on his thigh, before rifling past Key.

Brantham continued their onslaught with the direct ball in behind, as a clearance from the home side over the top saw Rogers deceived by the bounce, but Hamer proved hero again as he slid in to toe the ball away.

But it got worse for City, as Brantham got their third.. After Rogers blocked well to concede the corner, the ball was whipped in. Evading everyone and wind assisted, the ball curled into the far corner straight from the kick. Nothing seemed to be falling for the Robins, as Brantham repelled any momentum Ely tried to build on the ball.

Friend was tirelessly working off scraps, but after he was played in by a long ball from Camara, his drive to goal was thwarted by a covering challenge before Alex Theobold was blocked.
Brantham added their fourth on 72 minutes- killing the game off as a contest. The ball played up to the half way line was flicked on, splitting Rogers and Partridge. The centre forward ghosted in, bore down on goal and placed calmly passed Key.
It could have been worse and more humiliating for Ely, another wonderful cross from the right saw the forwards header blocked by Rogers, before Key reacted brilliantly to save on his line from the follow up. Tobi Lawal’s introduction gave the Robins some much needed help forward, as he tricked his way through to combine with Stoker and Theobold, but between them they couldn’t get the ball across.

Lawal did get the reward for his efforts though, as deep into injury time. He dribbled through 3 defenders before getting a shot away, it initially saved by the Imps Keeper. He then recycled the rebound, sat his defender down and neatly tucked home.

As the game ticked deeper into injury time, Ely looked for another late conciliation but Brantham held out as the ref drew a close to a miserable afternoon for the Robins.
FT; Brantham Athletic 4 - 1 Ely City

Ely weren’t at the races today. First half efforts with the wind easily could have seen them up before Brantham took the lead and then Brantham handled the conditions better. The second half saw Ely struggle to contain the home side’s momentum and not till late on did they get any hold on the ball.

Bad day at the office, we’ve not seen many this season, so the bounce back from City WILL come. Brantham got in front and dominated. No fault in accepting defeat where due to the better side.

Subs: Salmons, Tagg, Theobold, Lawal.