It was a damp breezy Saturday afternoon at The Paradise Footaball ground. The game that everybody had being waiting for, the top of the table clash between arch rivals Ely Crusaders and Ely City was the occasion, the Local Derby of the Millennium...

writes Ely A player Michael Emms

The game started with Ely Crusaders only having 10 Men and City all over them, as expected... The First Chance of many for city was in the opening 5 Minutes when Super Midfielder Mark Jones Whipped a curling Beckham like cross into the area, only for the keeper to pull off the save of the season from Michael Emms's glorious placed header that was heading for the top corner. David Cornwall then conjured up a bit of magic when taking on the Crusaders backline only to be denied by the Keepers Out stretched leg. The Opening 20 minutes was all city, they were tight at the back with Skipper Peaky and his partner Stuart Rowlings and nobody could get past the full backs especially Andrew Ball at left back, slick passing good movement City looked very comfortable but they just couldn't score.

Crusaders then brought on there 11th man after he turned up late and the game began to turn. City lost there movement and composure and began to tackle dirty, Crusaders began to push. There First chance came after 30 minutes but brilliant City keeper Andy Burling pulled of a magnificent save from a low drive. As the half went on Crusaders got more chance, and I think whoever scored the first goal was going to win the match. Then with about 15 minutes left Crusaders got round the back and thrashed a low ball accross the box only for Peaky to put in to his own net and score his 4th Own Goal this Season. Crusaders were ecstatic as it had being all City. The Half ended with Crusaders 1-0 up.

The second Half was a half of bookings and the ref ruined a fair game as he one sided with Crusaders, City just didn't get going in the second half they lost the flair in midfield, the strikers didn't get the service and gaps began to appear in the backline they just couldn't get in to the game. Crusaders just had chance after chance, they hit the wood work after Andy Burling tipped a swerving 25 yarder on to the bar and over, with about 25 minutes to go Drew Lane done an absolutely cracking sliding tackle only for the ref to give crusaders a free kick and then book him.

Lee Mole stepped up for crusaders only to bend s free kick in to the top corner although keeper Andy Burling got fingertips he couldn't stop it from going in Crusaders were 2-0 up. City where fuming and a few players got booked .


City heads began to drop and there only chance came with 15 minutes left when Drew Lane burst from Right back only to slice his shot wide, that was the story of City's day. The Final whistle blew shortly after and City had lost there winning streak and crusaders had one the derby it was a bad day all-round for City.

After the match City Manager Gary Rowlings said "We should have tied that game up in the first half they were nothing special we just didn't want to play. We will stuff them at home and it didn't help the Ref being one sided if one of there players just fell over they got a free kick.

Final Score Ely Crusaders 2 Ely City 0