Ely came into the game jubilant off the back of a 4-0 away win over March Town United last week. But the away team took the game to them early on, with a physical and direct approach.
3 minutes in and they found themselves in behind Ely, but a great block tackle on the winger from Zak Slane stopped any chance on goal.
Ely’s first chance came on the quarter hour, Callum Wilkinson cutting in off the left channel turning inside and fizzing a shot just wide of the far post. And it was Wilkinson again who went close 4 minutes later – Jake Iball with a delicious cross that Wilkinson deftly diverted just wide of the outstretched keeper and post.
Ely continued to come into the game, matching the physical element of the game, as both sides battled through the in-field to try create clear chances. Deeping found themselves in pockets in front of Ely’s back 4, but as a unit, the defence held strong lead by skipper Slane and Ollie Holmes.
It started to heat up, as Ashman found his way into the game, a tantalising run was abruptly stopped by a scything challenge by the Deeping 12 who after some argy bargy, received a yellow off the referee.
Wilkinson again drew a save from the Deeping keeper before Ashman opened the scoring.
Jinking in through the middle of the Rangers defence, he rounded the last man, sat the keeper down and then placed home. He doubled his and Ely’s total 2 minutes later on 43 when he was caught in the box after another terrorising run, dispatching past the despairing reach of the away stopper.
Deeping did get one back before the half ended, sloppy play from Ely saw Deeping cut the deficit with an easy tap in for half time score of 2-1
Second half was a lot like the first, Deeping pressing with aggression through the lines, Ely soaking it up and looking for the break out. It was starting to get more intense, as several bookings were shared for both teams.
Deeping kept the pressure on and Holmes, Slane and Sherington made last ditch challenges, on the edge of their box, Ashman and Ashton meanwhile had half chances the other end as the game drew into the last quarter. With 5 to go, the game stretched to Ely’s favour, as Ashman got away from his man but the keeper stuck out a foot to deny Ashman his hat trick. Deeping could have pulled level, their forward got a sniff from Holmes, but his shot was brilliantly pushed away by the otherwise untroubled Reece Hall in the Ely goal.
The inevitable did happen, Ashman grabbed his third and match ball, as he weaved his way through and slid the ball past the hapless Keeper for 3-1. That was literally the last touch of the game as the referee blew for full time on a tough encounter of football. Great performance from the young Reds, who go 2nd in the league.

Team; Hall, Sherington, Howlett, Holmes, Slane (C), Hammond, Cullum, Searle, Wilkinson, Ashman, Iball.
Subs Used; Ivison, Ashton, Vouse, Hooker, Reed.

Chris Gibson