Ely City succumb to Boxing Day derby heartache vs Soham

McAvoy was in frustrating mood having watched the Robins lose 3-0 at home to Soham Town Rangers on Boxing Day (December 26), their sixth defeat in the last seven in all competitions.

“The minimum is to give 100 per cent and play with energy and determination; we didn’t have any of that,” he said.

“In some passages in the game, it looked like we didn’t care, which is frustrating in a local derby.”

Ely conceded two near-identical goals in the first half, but brightened soon after half-time with near misses to reduce the deficit.

It is a second defeat to their neighbours in under two months, which McAvoy feels was due to being caught on the counter-attack.

Ely City on the attack vs Soham Town Rangers on Boxing Day. (Image: Daniel Mason)

“In the second half, we had spells in their half but never looked like scoring,” he said.

“We concede soft goals, left in a position where we have to get back in the game and will always leave us open to being counted-attacked.

“Soham’s threat was on the counter-attack, and a player like Luke Brown [made it 3-0], you give him time on the edge of the box and he’ll punish you.”

Luke McAvoy was unimpressed with Ely City's performance against Soham Town Rangers on Boxing Day. (Image: Daniel Mason)

Winger Joao Varela, on a month-long loan from National League North club King’s Lynn Town, impressed for City with his attacking intent, while McAvoy handed a debut to Liam Moir.

The Robins chief hopes to keep Varela for the foreseeable future, as Ely look to kick off the new year with victory at Haverhill Rovers on January 2, 3pm.

“We’ve got to try and remind the lads of what’s expected,” said McAvoy.

“[It’s about] a minimum of fitness, determination, turning up ready to play and they need to look like they want to win games.

“If we can finish in the top half, that would be great.”

FT: @ElyCityFC 0-3 @SohamTownRanger: A much-improved performance from Ely after half-time proved little as Soham, who showed composure and stability in defence, win this Boxing Day derby clash. Had Ely been more clinical in front of goal, the result may have been closer.

— Dan Mason (@DanMasonSport) December 26, 2022

Ely City: Will Sarchet; Finley Logan (sub Ardened Hida), Brett Wyman, Dom Hunt (sub Liam Moir), Charlie Bowen, Ash Walter (C), Louis Jenkins, Ross Munro, Lawrence Mullins-Hammond (sub Harry Farrow), Josh Townshend (sub Alex Theobald), Joao Varela.

Unused sub: Ben Smith.

Referee: Mr Ceredig Cattanach-Chell.

Attendance: 281.