With the last match of the season pre Christmas arriving and Ely M2 heading towards the bottom of the table it was time for a change of strategy - so family connections were called upon. Top family contribution came from the Tonge’s with 3 members, closely followed by the Hodgkinson’s and Carfords with a pair each. Also Ely had a more youthful feel with a great MOM contribution from Alex French too. Unlike the opposition who were clearly calling on their old guard for a pre Xmas match away from home. Ely started brightly creating constant chances in front of goal. The new attacking formation of Rich Lee and James Hodgkinson having regular shots but less success at converting! Finally James Hosgkinson slotted one in and we went to half time in full dominance but only 1-0 up. As we started the 2nd half Owen Carford and Alex French were really stretching the ageing opposition who were starting to flag. Rich Lee found himself in front of their keeper and having passed back and forth to each other he reverted to an unconventional scoop which looped into the net - 2-0. There followed a few comedy moments. Firstly the umpire, tired of 22 umpires on the pitch firmly told us to stop putting our hands up for appeals. The next moment of play resulted in the ball going out for a 16, with Hugh James hand aloft making the appeal. Frustration was building in the opposition half and an opposing player was green carded for another stick tackle. After 2 minutes he confidently returned only to make a further one and be sent to the sidelines again. Our fair spirited captain felt it was time to even things up and so Graeme Allott, having just come on, rotating players, made his own stick tackle and went to join him! Shots at goal continued and finally James Hodgkinson converted another one at 3-0. Further dominance from Ely continued. All players ended up back on the pitch and the other older Hodgkinson decided to show his son how to convert a chance and slotted the ball into the far corner from just inside the D - 4-0 the final result. DOD was heavily contested. Our 2 forwards for the number of chances they had, Hugh James for his hand up and also arriving late at the start but a three in a row games contribution prevailed from Graeme Allott for his green card. MOM was also close with a number of strong performances, but went to Alex French for his increasingly skilful runs as the opposition flagged. Here’s to an optimistic performance to end before Christmas and hopefully we can carry that through to the New Year. Happy Christmas everyone!