Thurlow Nunn Premier: Ely City 2-1 Thetford Town

18th April 2026

Ely City vs Thetford Town @ The Demcom Stadium - Ely

Thurlow Nunn Premier Division (Step 5)

15:00 KO

Entry fee - £5 (special offer)

Attendance - 378

Half-time score: Ely City 1-1 Thetford Town

Goals:

Ely City: Friend - 2'

Thetford Town: Grove - 30'

Ely City - Tarpey - 89'

Final Score: Ely City 2-1 Thetford Town

When I first saw the fixture list at the start of the season, Ely City away on the final day immediately stuck out as being potentially a huge game, and as it turns out, it certainly is! Thetford Town are battling Fakenham Town for the final play-off spot, with Fakenham having the upper-hand with an extra point, a better goal difference, more wins and more goal scored. Therefore, whilst a point could potentially get Thetford Town over-the-line, it depends on so many factors that ideally a win is needed to give The Brecklanders a chance. Of course, if Fakenham Town also win it is still over, however, they are away at 2nd place Haverhill Rovers who have not yet secured this position, which could be important if they get into the final, as the 2nd place team would have home advantage. It was therefore set-up to be an exciting season finale, however, Ely City would be keen to spoil the party. The last game at this ground between these two teams was controversial to say the least and seems to have sparked a strong rivalry between the teams. Recent form would suggest a home win with Ely City winning the last three encounters, scoring 2 goals each game to seal the win! If that’s anything to go by, Thetford may need 3 goals today, but with a huge and loud Thetford Town fan presence willing the team on, anything was possible!

Was great to see Ely City offering a full colour glossy matchday programme for only £2, undoubtedly the best I've seen this season in this division, long may it continue!

It was a lovely warm and sunny spring day, and was great watching a game of football in the sun. The pitch looked in decent condition, and before long, in-front a decent crowd, the teams were lining up, with Ely City in their all red kits, with Thetford Town in their away mint green strip.

KEY MOMENTS

EC = Ely City

TT = Thetford Town

2' - EC - GOAL (1-0) - A loose ball in the box is chased down by Friend, he gets to it just before Pride, takes a touch to take it out from his grasp and from what was a very narrow angle lofts it over Pride, the ball dipping into the net, worst possible start for The Brecklanders but a great finish.

14' - TT - Olpin with a diagonal ball into the box, keeper Newton comes out and spills it, it drops to Grove, he sets himself and shoots, but his effort is cleared off the line by the defender, potentially a huge moment.

22' - EC - Tarpey down the right, crosses the ball in and finds Friend in the middle, with his back to goal he flicks the ball up and hooks in a effort, it is dipping in again, but this time Pride is able to catch it at full-stretch.

30' - TT - GOAL (1-1) - Thetford with the equaliser, attack down the left, Wells in a very deep position, crosses into the far-post, where Grove, unmarked, nods in. Game on!

37' - TT - King slides Ebanks-Blake through on goal on the right side of the box, he fires in across Newton, but he slides a leg out to make the save, big chance.

45'+1' - EC - Jenkins with a fizzing shot 25yrds out, skims just over the bar.

53' - TT - Controversial moment, Thetford attack down the right, ball is crossed into the far-post, an Ely defenders side foots it back to Newton who collects. No back-pass given and in the moments after the goal-kick taken from the hands slams into Wells and he receives a yellow. Should have been an indirect free-kick almost next to the Ely goal....

79' - TT - Elliot Smith, on off the bench, with a neat flick through to Ebanks-Blake, he heads the ball forwards and sprints onto it, but there is slightly too much on it and he cannot gather it before it goes out.

89' - EC - GOAL (2-1) - Ely attack down the right, and the right back Tarpey fires in a left-footed strike across the ball, burying the ball into the bottom left corner, and this late into the game, what remained of Thetford's hopes, although Fakenham were 3-0 up at Haverhill.....

A real shame for the travelling fans not to sign-off the season with a win, Thetford largely dominated the 2nd half but despite this were unable to create many meaningful chances, and as they pushed higher Ely fired in the winner for yet another 2-1 victory over Thetford Town. As it turned out, Fakenham demolished Haverhill so had Thetford bagged 3-points it wouldn't have mattered, that is a statement victory and will be repeated next week in one of the play-off semi-finals, the other seeing Ely City host Soham Town Rangers for what is sure to be another massive Fens derby! The Thetford Town lads all gave their all on the field, and the supporters done the club and town proud, keeping in high spirits long after the game despite the disappointment, and it was great to see every player thank the fans. This for me is the real high point for this season, the Thetford fanbase has grown and the atmosphere has been improving, and the rise of the Thetford Ultras having a big part to play. There is a great spirit around the club, and the larger crowds set up a strong foundation for next season, and the Thetford fans are already looking forward to next season. We clearly have a strong squad, hopefully we can keep as many players in as possible and strengthen where needed, and the work can now start earlier for this. This was also sadly Elliot Smith's final game in the claret and blue, getting to have fun upfront and almost setting up Ebanks-Blake late on. He has been one of our most consistent performers over recent years and will be sorely missed indeed, will be some big shoes to fill. Everyone at the club has earned a big rest over the Summer, I hope everyone has a fantastic time in the sun, and will see you all in the pre-season friendlies, can't wait for it, UP THE TOWN!!!!

Line-Ups:

ELY CITY: Ben Newton, Joe Tarpey, Aaron Hamer, Josh Collins, Jacob Partridge (C), Rob Ruddy, Louis Jenkins, Tom Rigby, Jack Friend, James Moore, Harry Biggs. SUBS: Joe Brannan, Charlie Sutcliffe, Sam Townshend, Alex Brown, Tomas Allan.

THETFORD TOWN: Elliot Pride, Adam Laker, Sam Bond (C), Josh Wells, Billy Batch, Jeorgy Batch, Cameron King, Dylan Grove, Antwan Ebanks-Blake, Harvey Lott. SUBS: Elliot Smith, Jake Mann, Ryan Haylett, Theo Piggott, Daniel Rayner.