Football between the lockdowns

 Well, 2020 was always going to be a bit of a nightmare for me, but it turns out it has been a massive shit storm for everybody, but at least there were some things to enjoy between the last lockdown and the one that we now find ourselves in again.

The first game that I saw was actually officially a behind closed door game as Ely City beat Comberton United. I was legitimately on the training pitch next door. The Robins won the game 2-0.

on the 22 August we were back in the ground though as Ely City went on to beat Cambridge City in a friendly, 1-0.


The sun was shining and the fencing was down and I managed to have a couple of Ghost Ships.

Next up was a game where Ely managed to beat Haverhill Borough 6-0 on a wet night where I had already been the linesman in a game between Crusaders and Burwell, that Crusaders won 4-1.

As August turned into September, the games turned from friendlies to competitive ones and first up were the Ely Reserves against Foxton. I always enjoy the Reserves games more than the first team. This game was fun, but was tinged with disappointment as Ely threw away a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2.


The week after on the 12 September we met up with Dean for an FA Cup game in Sawbridgeworth between Sawbridgeworth and St Maragaretsbury. The visitors who featured a couple of old Clapton players won the game 3-1.



More cup magic followed the week after with a trip to Downham Market to see the Ely first team take on Downham in the FA Cup. It was a cracking day out, that was slightly spoilt by the football with Ely, who were the heavy favourites losing 3-0. The curse of the blue away kit continuing.




At the end of September (26th to be precise) Ely took on Norwich United at home. It was a game that was big on passion, but with very little quality up front. It finished 0-0




The week after on October 3rd what we missed in goals at the home team game between Ely and Norwich was made up for by the Reserves. The weather was poor, but the Reserves and Eynesbury ended up playing  out a 5-5 thriller. Here's a picture of the penalty that made it 5-5.


 10 October was a great day and introduced me to watching Witchford 96. Sean had played for Witchford Colts in the morning, who had a rare win against Soham United and in the afternoon it was the local derby between Witchford 96 and Ely Reserves. It finished 2-2 in what for a game on a park was a massive crowd.


On 17 October, it was back down the Unwin (Demcom) for the Reserves against West Wratting. It was another goalfest with the Reserves losing 4-3. It wasn't as exciting as it sounds though. The Reserves took the lead and then went down 4-1. They pulled 2 goals back right at the death and it didn't ever feel like they would get or deserve anything out of it.

October 24 would prove to be the last day of football before the next lockdown and we saw Witchford beat Comberton United 4-1 in the Cambridgeshire League Premier Division. 

Sean had a game the day after as Crusaders drew 4-4 with Eaton Socon and in a 2-1 loss at Over the week after, but on the Saturday the Reserves game was off  due to rain and then we went into lockdown again.

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