Ellistown FC v Friar Lane & Epworth

A comfortable 4-0 victory against a determined Friar Lane side kick started operation Ellistown reboot. An operation that in effect sees Ellistown field the 3rd new team of the season. Therefore it is a credit to man of the match Ethan Fox who is the only player who has been with us since day 1.

Ethan was quality today with his spot on passing and raiding runs from right back that caused Friar Lane problems all match.

With Ellistown not playing a game since late November and players coming and going for both sides, no one knew what to expect with today's game.

Town settled any nerves within 60 seconds of the start as a sweeping move from the kick off allowed Marley Spence to fire home.

EFC 1-0 FL&E 1 min

Considering the season they are having, Friar Lane could have easily collapsed but to their credit they dug-in and ensured our back four led by Captain, Leader, Legend Farren Pope had to be alert.

The early goal settled down Town but you could see the lack of game time was affecting the team as the final pass was not up to the standard of the approach play. This kept Friar Lane in the game as we struggled to create the chances our approach play deserved.

The Friar Lane dam was burst again on 37 mins when Joe Simpson made no mistake when given a clear sight on goal.

EFC 2-0 FL&E 37 mins

The 2nd goal calmed Town down and we started to complete those final passes and set-up camp in Friar Lane's half. Credit to Friar Lane again as they defended in numbers and kept the score to 2-0 at half-time.

EFC 2-0 FL&E HT

The 2nd half was a carbon copy of the 1st half, with Town dictating play through Colby White and Joe Simpson controlling the midfield and Labib Bashir, Tan Kanyangara and Ethan Fox running the wings. It was good to watch Marley Spencer and Kyle Avossa beginning to form a partnership up-front.

The game as a contest should be have over on 60 mins as Marley Spencer tried to out-fox the Friar Lane Goalie from the penalty spot. In this case, the goalie won.

The contest was over 4 minutes later then Labib Bashir was left free in the box to smash the ball home.

EFC 3-0 FL&E 64 mins

A flurry of substitutes followed that allowed us to use the full matchday squad. Credit to the players, this never changed the flow of the game and the 4th came on 80 mins when Marley Spencer went round an advancing goalkeeper to slot the ball into an empty net.

EFC 4-0 FL&E 80 mins

Could Town open the floodgates in the last 10mins that would have been harsh on Friar Lane. We tried and the chances came and went but we had to retire on 4.

EFC 4-0 FL&E FT

Summary

A game where Town ticked all the boxes and finally managed to get 90 mins in the legs. We now focus on next week’s League Cup tie away to Burbage.