The Robins arrived at the Hutchinson Hollow home of Potton United missing a number of players for this pre-season friendly . What it did do though is give valuable playing time to certain players recovering from illness and others that have recently joined the club.

On a very warm afternoon, but on an excellent playing surface it was our hosts of the United Counties Division One League who started the brighter in terms of gaining shots on target. Both sides seem to struggle to keep hold of possession for any long period of time and because of that Ely could not get in to any pattern of play and our decision making at times was disappointing. Our normal high tempo game was well off the mark even considering the warm sunshine that the cricketers in the adjourning playing area must have found breathless at times as well.

Ely did manage to carve out a good attempt on target when an Ash Walter free-kick mid-way through the first half was well met by one of our new signings centre back Ollie Brookes who's header went straight at the Potton keeper.

Potton did create the best chance of the half when a breaking move down the middle the ball was eventually transferred to the right hand side of the box and only the finger tips of keeper Harry Reynolds stopped Potton taking the lead by tipping the ball onto the bar and away.

Trialist Jordy Baker was introduced to the left hand side in the second half and we started to take a slightly more hold of the game in terms of possession while looking comfortable all over. Baker had one enough that tamely went past the post and after a hugh Dom Hunt throw in Craig Neal found himself in the six yard box with just the keeper in front of him, but could not sort out his feet quickly enough and the chance went begging. Baker had another better effort that just went over , but it was Potton who had the best chance of the half at that time when a Potton player picked the ball up inside the Ely half and made a positive run towards the Ely box. Both Tom Williams and Ollie Brookes were in pursuit and it was Brookes who made a tackle which seem to start on the edge of the box ,but finished inside. The referee gave a free kick outside, but the linesman on the far side seemed to have a different view. After consulting his official the referee stuck with his original decision. Looking at the video playback later it was a very close call to be fair to the referee . The free kick in the end amounted to nothing.

George Darling playing up front on his own worked tirelessly throughout and did create an opportunity out of nothing with his left foot which just went wide. The game look like it was heading for a draw which was really what both teams deserved, but in the 88th minute after a header from a corner by Tom Williams that was cleared off the line the ball came back into the box and out again and a Spencer Saberton cross was met by Tom Williams and his effort although blocked feel back at his feet and he set up George Darling for a strike with his right foot that went flying to the keepers left and in off the post.

This was one piece of quality from a game that did not produce to many of those moments , but a very good work out for the lads nevertheless

Full Time Potton United 0 Ely City 1 (George Darling 88 mins)

Line-up: Harry Reynolds,Joe Brannan ,Spencer Saberton, Ash Walter, Ollie Brookes,Tom Williams, Daniel Jeffrey,Sam Goodge,George Darling, Lewis Hook, Craig Neal Subs all used Jordy Barker,Liam Griffin,Dom Hunt

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