The Robins showed respect to their regional counter parts, despite them being a step below, naming a strong side. With notable absentees, Louie Diver and Fin Logan were added to the bench after good performances with the reserves as well as the welcoming sight of Alex Brown returning from injury.

The game started at a frantic pace, Shelford pressing Ely early as they took the game to their hosts.

And they silenced the home crowd early, as in the 3rd minute, a switched ball down the right hand side saw the winger square across to his forward, he got between Jacob Partridge and Toby Salmon, before tucking under Tyler Key for 1-0.

Ely looked to kick back straight away, as Aaron Hamer delivered a dangerous free kick to the back post, but Tom Stoker’s head back across goal was put behind for a corner.

On 12 minutes, the game was level. Tatum Cartner won a foul on the touchline midway inside the Shelford half, he delivered a whipped ball across the box and the ball deceived everyone and found its way in the far post.

The game was already opening up at some pace, as both sides looked to break. Alex Theobold and Alex Kerr, linking well down the right hand side opened up Shelford, but the ball was cleared in a last ditch block.

The ball went straight up the other end, as the Shelford 9 did well to draw Salmon out before getting in behind him, his curled effort was well saved by Key. Minutes later, he came off the left wing and got in behind Salmon again before smashing at goal. Key at point blank range, saved at his near post.

Ely had a chance to go ahead, as after Cartner’s corner was cleared, he recycled the ball and drove into the box. He was seen to have been clipped over and the referee pointed to the spot. Tobi Lawal stepped up, but his right foot effort was excellently saved by the Shelford stopper low to his left.
Their personal duel continued as the half went on, Kerr’s clip in behind saw Lawal one on one with his nemesis who smothered at his feet to keep the game level.
Ely had one last chance at goal before the half was up, a corner played in was cleared to Root, who fired in first time from 25 yards, but the away keeper again made the stop.

HT; Ely City 1 - 1 Great Shelford

Shelford started the second half as they did the first, increasing the intensity and physicality up the field. A long ball over the top was fielded well by Partridge as Ely looked to break with purpose.

Root with a lovely piece of play over the top found Stoker. His cross was fumbled, but Lawal put the rebound wide from 10 yards.

The game was opening up more, with the pace still high. Shelford were unlucky to not go ahead, as Cartner missed his tackle before the long ball in behind again found the Shelford 9, his touch letting him down as the ball fell safely wide.

Ely created space in front of the Shelford defence, as both Kerr and Sam Tagg fired way over from distance. Shelford then managed to survive an Ely assault on their goal as Salmon, then sub Antwan Ebanks-Blake had shots blocked and then saved on the line as Ely smelt blood.

Into the last 10, Ely tried to force it for a late winner. Ebanks-Blake did brilliant to beat his man down the wing, but his cross saw fellow sub Tagg air kick and the ball was cleared to safety.

Last chance to be a hero in normal time fell to Hamer, who had time on the edge of the box, but his shot lacked power and was comfortable for the Shelford Keeper.

The whistle went and both sides had battled hard to get to this stage of penalties settling the game!

To penalties and both sides hit 4 out of 4 perfectly. Partridge, Logan, Brown and an emphatic Ebanks-Blake blast for City.

The defining moments then saw Key save down to his left to give Ely the advantage, which Hamer was never going to miss as he dispatched high into the right corner to win it.

FT; Ely City 1 - 1 Great Shelford

Ely City win 5-4 on pens

Hard fought game, credit for Shelford who are no mugs of the game and came to cause an upset. You can see how they’ve dominated the Cambs League for the best part of 10 seasons.

Ely, another win and into the semi finals. Not their best performance but they ground the game out and minutes gained for the members of the squad. It’s what this side have done this year with hard work and dug in when it matters!

Subs; Tagg, Diver, Logan, Ebanks-Blake, Brown.