Holbeach United’s Charlie Sanders and Will Bird scored late goals to progress the visitors through to the next round of the FA Cup.

A frustrating day for the Robins was epitomised when manager Brady Stone was dismissed by referee Paul McVey a few minutes from full-time. Stone was visibly upset with the amount of decisions that didn’t go his team’s way in the match.

The start of the first half couldn’t have been more of a contrast to Ely’s last home fixture against Saffron Walden. Although Ely were testing the Tigers defence on several occasions, they couldn’t string any real opportunities together.

That was until the 13th minute when a throw-in from captain Jamie Alsop caught the Holbeach defence off guard. The ball found Alex Theobald who broke into the box, but thanks to a good recovery from the backline his effort could only be forced well wide of Rick Drury in goal.

A poor first half from the Tigers was almost forgotten about two minutes before half-time. Mitch Griffiths had a great run down the left wing and his cross met Joe Smith in the centre of the box. But Harry Reynolds provided a great save to deny Smith’s effort and keep the scores level at the break.

Ely finally had the ball in the net midway through the second half. Alsop’s long ball in was spilled by Drury then prodded in by centre-back Tom Williams, but McVey ruled the goal out for a foul on the goalkeeper.

Just as a goalless encounter seemed to be the likely outcome, Holbeach’s George Zeurner was alleged to have been brought down by Williams and the away side were granted a soft penalty.

Substitute Charlie Sanders smashed it straight down the middle giving Reynolds no chance, and Ely had just five minutes to try and keep themselves in the FA Cup.

But Will Bird made sure that wouldn’t be the case as Sanders, who now had a goal and an assist under his belt, topped off a great move by the Tigers to leave Bird with a tap-in.

The Robins will travel to Histon on Tuesday night, then return to the Ellgia Stadium to play FC Clacton on Saturday the 12th of August.

Ely: Harry Reynolds, Daniel Jeffrey, Jamie Alsop (C), Liam Griffin (Charlie McManus, 84), Tom Williams, Josh Sewell, Nick Heap (Rhys Mazey, 75), Ash Walter, Ryan Williams (Tom Thurlborn, 53), Alex Theobald, Lewis Hook

Holbeach: Rick Drury, Dan Jenkins, Nick Jackson (C), Joe Braithwaite, Stacy Cartwright, Matt Warfield, Mitch Griffiths, Joe Smith, Lewis Leckie (Charlie Sanders, 61), Will Bird, George Zeurner (Lewis Harker, 85)

Report by Harry Davies

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