Reserve News & Results

Sat 27th Sep 2008

Llantwit Fadre 1 Ely Rangers 3

LLANTWIT CAUGHT UP IN ELY WHIRLWIND

Another strong performance saw Ely win their third league game in a row. They showed their attacking intentions from the off with the lively Taz and John Hooper-Nash causing the home side no end of problems.

Llantwit were forced into some clumsy challenges due to slick Ely passing and gave away a free kick around 25 yards from goal. A sweetly taken free kick from Craig Kavanagh dipped viciously in front of the keeper who spilled the ball into the path of James Alloway following up the strike who slammed the ball into the net.

Ely didnt take their foot off the gas and continued to press. Taz in particular was taking the game to the hosts, making some excellent runs, pulling their defence apart on numerous occasions. Another free kick from distance by full back Daniel Griffiths struck the bottom of the post with the keeper beaten.

Shortly after John Hooper-Nash was close with a header that just cleared the crossbar.

The Ely defence looked solid, centre backs John Davies and Jason Clarke dealing with long balls comfortably, supported by full backs Daniel Griffiths and Coco. Ashley Hart in goal was commanding, also utilising his kicking ability to launch Ely counter attacks.

Another free kick allowed Dan Griffiths to whip a superb ball into the box and it was Davies with a trade mark header powering the ball into the net.

Ely went in 2-0 at half time

Manager of the month contender George wanted Ely to come out attacking in the second half rather than sit back on their lead. This was exactly what they did. The two centre midfielders Rusty and Alloway bossed the game, both doing the simple things well with Rusty sending a few to the gym.

Sadler wide left and Kavanagh jnr, right side, were both heavily involved in creating chances. Kavanagh has such venom in his strikes rattled the crossbar from outside the box with the keeper beaten.

The third goal was needed to kill Llantwit off and Ely duly obliged with a great move that saw Taz finish cooly into the bottom right hand corner of the goal. A goal he deserved for a fine display. This goal seemed to hinder Ely who were perhaps guilty of some complacency and sat back allowing the home team too much possession. They scored a consolation with around ten minutes remaining.

The final whistle saw another well deserved win for Ely. Great celebrations back at Llantwit's club house and the cage with Hoops sporting the latest fashion!

Man of the match - Taz

TEAM – Ashley Hart, Dan Griffiths, Coco, John Davies (Capt), Jason Clarke, James Alloway, Matthew Russell, Craig Kavanagh, David Sadler, Taz, John Hooper- Nash

Sat 21st Sep 2008

Ely Rangers 3 Newport Civil Service 2

ELY EDGE IT AGAINST NEWPORT CIVIL

Following last weeks good win against Garw, Ely came into this game confident and looking to pick up another 3 points.

It was clear from the off this was going to be a very tough game. Newport were matching Ely and to their credit came to attack which made for an open game.

Ely were playing more of the football, looking to get the ball down and use the wide players as much as possible. Two debutantes were in the Ely team.

Loko playing on the right wing, has allot of pace and trickery and will prove to be a great signing for the club and David 'Quadsy' Johnson is a clever striker who has a great touch and eye for goal.

This was going to be a tight game and the first goal was going to be important, however it was the visitors that grabbed the upper hand taking the lead after 20 minutes. This only seemed to give Ely the kick they needed and they began to take a hold of the game in the middle of the park. Rusty and Alloway are beginning to understand each others game well. Both players worked tirelessly winning back possession. It was all Ely for the rest of the first half, as the away side failed to make much of an impact. The back four of Whitehead, Davies, Loveday and Anstee snuffed out Newport attacks and Hart in goal was commanding.

The Ely equalizer came on the half hour mark with Taz finishing cooly. Anstee was proving to be a great attacking option whipping in some great balls.

Newport were failing to deal with his dangerous corners. A fine move resulted in Quadsy showing some great skill and a goal bound effort unfortunately hitting one of the Ely players.

Half time 1-1

The second half was a similar pattern as the first. Ely were controlling the game well, playing some good football. Kavanagh on the left was starting to cause problems and linked well with the forwards. Loko was able to hold the ball well and vary rarely gave it away when in possession.

Ely went 2-1 up after 55 minutes. Anstee whipped a great in swinging corner into the box and centre back Davies powered a bullet header into the far corner!

In a rare attack for the visitors, their centre midfielder hit a spectacular strike from distance that leveled things at 2-2. They didn't deserve this and Ely again when straight onto the offensive. The home side showed patience in their attempt to buildup attacks and won a penalty after 65 minutes after a rash tackle in the box.

Alloway stepped up and gave the keeper no chance putting the ball low into the corner of the net. 'Cool as ice no mistakes!'

Taz and Quadsy ran themselves into the ground and made some great runs throughout. Quadsy made way for John Hooper-Nash and Lewis Richards came on in midfield.

Ely showed they are capable of closing a game down and stifled Newport much to the delight of manager Darren George. However they did rely on a great save late on from Hart who tipped an effort around the post.

A very hard fought, well deserved 3 points.

Man of the match - John Davies

TEAM – Ashley Hart, Sean Anstee, Nathan Whitehead, James Loveday, John Davies (Capt), Loko, James Alloway, Matthew Russell, Craig Kavanagh, David 'Quadsy'

Johnson, Matthew 'Taz' Williams

Sat 13th Sep 2008

Garw 1 Ely Rangers 5

ELY TOO STRONG FOR VALLEY BOYS

A strong performance gave Ely their first win of the season under new manager Darren “Strachan” George. After two disappointing defeats Ely showed the belief and desire required to become a real force in the division this season.

With a good blend of youth and experience Ely took the game to their hosts from the off, putting in some strong challenges and playing some quick, neat football that made Garw look very average at times. It didn’t take long for Ely to open the scoring with Dave “doj” Pugh getting the first of a hat-trick on the day. Ely looked strong and commanding at the back with Davies and Clarke dominant throughout allowing fullbacks Whitehead and Griffiths to bomb forward at every opportunity. Hart in goal was a spectator for most of the game but dealt with the occasional shot at goal comfortably.

The midfield four were impressive. Russell providing the protection just in front of the defence, put in some big tackles, thus allowing the busy Alloway to support the strikers with some great interchange. The two wide players Sadler and Kavanagh were a useful attacking option pinning back the Garw defence. Sadler for such a young age plays with a maturity far beyond his years, his cleverness and ability to create space for himself made him a constant attacking threat. Kavanagh on the right hand side has pace to burn and hugged the touchline to provide the width Ely required. Kavanagh put in some great crosses for the strikers and also hit a few sweetly struck shots, one which smashed against the bar nearly dismantling the goal!

The two strikers Pugh and Richards were provided with alot of ball to show what they can do in front of goal but they still worked their socks off, defending from the front. On this occasion Richards was a great foil for DOJ who scored an excellent hat-trick. One of his strikes would normally have been an early contender for goal of the season however late in the second half Clarke had a nose bleed venturing forward beyond the half way line. He somehow found space around 25 yards out to smash an unstoppable right foot blockbuster that ripped into the top corner of the net. Great Goal! Which had the vocal away support rubbing their eyes in disbelief. But you have to ask: “Jason you're a defender, what are you doing up there”!?

The other goal was scored by James “megs” Alloway who capped off a fine performance.

Every player gave 100%, manager Darren George was extremely pleased with this great team effort and especially the three points.

Man of the match - DOJ

TEAM – Ashley Hart, Dan Griffiths, Nathan Whitehead, Jason Clarke, John Davies (Capt), David Sadler, James Alloway, Matthew Russell, Craig Kavanagh, Lewis Richards, Dave ‘DOJ’ Pugh

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