M2s start as they ended

Nomads M2s 2020-21 league season kicked off in much the same way as the previous one ended.
The last game before lockdown, back in March, finished as a 10-goal drawn thriller against a spirited Wisbech outfit. A game in which Nomads were never behind, indeed led 4-0.
On Saturday it was ‘only’ the 6-goals that we shared with Ely M1s. But like the previous match, we rushed into an early lead, then at times rode our luck to hang on to the point.
At 2-0 after 15 minutes we felt confident. It could have been more. Amazingly we scored from our 1st short corner of the season (when has that ever happened?). The hours of practice paid off with a slick routine culminating in Lloydy, cunningly, jamming his strike into the bouncy Wilby Road turf to thus deflect off the prone keepers’ pads into the net.
Another interpretation is that he simply topped it. But either way it was 1-0. On Coldhams that wouldn’t have have bounced, and would have been been saved. That's experience that is.
Our surprise pick in the forward line, Martin Hamon, soon chipped in with his first of the season – reverse sticking a sweet strike after a fast move. Other chances came and went, and it was somewhat of a shock when we subsequently turned possession over on the half way line, and watched as one of the Ely whiz-kids ran half the length of the pitch and slotted smoothly into the corner of our goal. Fair play to him. We all stood and applauded. Well not quite, but we certainly waved him through.
We still felt that was but a blip. But it should have been a warning sign. Ely were starting to find their feet, win the 1 on 1 challenges, and look dangerous. There was even a triple pirouette from one of the Ely young-guns, in a manner that must have impressed the umpiring Mutu - I don’t think he ever managed more than a double. Remarkable.
With 5 minutes of the 1st half to go, more whiz-kiddery down the Ely right had us in trouble in the D, and a short corner followed, which was then converted via a far post tap in.
So it was even at the break, and having dominated for long periods, Nomads came in a little disappointed. We really should have been out of sight.
Surely in the 2nd half our large squad would yield dominance against the bare 11 of Ely? Hamon scored another typical Hamon goal with his reverse stick, and somehow other chances failed to find the backboard. As the game became stretched Ely caused more and more problems. Nomads still created their own chances and the game swung from end to end.
A fine finish (another reverse stick one) from Ely’s best player sneaked past John into the corner, and concluded the scoring. By the end we were hanging on rather. All credit to Ely who looked down and out in the 1st quarter yet finished the game really strongly with just 11 players.
Nomads perhaps confused by having so many subs, lost their shape a little at times.
But there was a great debut from young George in the middle, fitting nicely into that attacking midfield role we so need. John made a few good stops to ensure we didn’t lose and the rest of us plodded around sometimes effectively, sometimes less so. I think Ely will worry a few teams in this league, and we may look back on this as a useful point, rather than 2 thrown away.
And thanks to Nick and Mutu for umpiring excellently.

Back at Wisbech next week for another goal-fest?