Ely City 4, Fakenham Town 3THEGhosts saw Ridgeons Division One runners-up the Robins collect their medals before to kick-off.Fakenham managers Mark King and Stuart Woodhouse started with the familiar 3-5-2 formation.

Ely City 4, Fakenham Town 3

THEGhosts saw Ridgeons Division One runners-up the Robins collect their medals before to kick-off.

Fakenham managers Mark King and Stuart Woodhouse started with the familiar 3-5-2 formation. And the Ghosts took an early lead when Tom Bryant drove home the sweetest of stikes from 30 yards into the roof of the net. Ely equalised shortly after and at half-time it was 1-1.

The second half was an even affair with Ely playing to their strengths with long balls down the channels. Defenders Ian Raisbury and Martin Fenwick were outstanding once again.

The long-ball game frustrated Fakenham whose strength is in the centre of midfield, with players such as Kevin Whitterd, Tom Bryant and James Bamford.

Fakenham were caught after two minutes of the second half and then again 10 minutes later.

From 3-1 down they started to play some good football. Both wingbacks, Andrew Morgan and Kieran Bacon, played their parts in getting the Ghosts back into the match. The introduction of sub John Connolly inspired the side and fans' player of the year Ben Darby played out of his skin despite receiving a cut to his forehead.

Connolly got past his marker before smashing home in style before slack marking allowed Ely to extend their lead.

Nick Haynes replaced Morgan then Darby hit an unstoppable strike home off the bar for 4-3.

After his last game at the club, assistant manager Chris Evans said: “It wasn't the best game to watch. Had we defended a little better we could have won. It was emotional for me as I will miss the lads and the club where I have made many friends. I'd like to thank everyone from the chairman to the supporters.”