With a depleted squad and in sweltering conditions it’s fair to say the Bloaters did not live up to their away form this season at the Unwin Ground on Saturday.

Prior to the game Yarmouth boasted the best defensive away record, and they had recently put in some excellent displays, but it was clear this was not going to be their day from quite early on.

Without senior players Andersen, Ager, Forbes, Taylor and Holmes the visitors gave a debut to 16-year-old Josh Ford, who took his place in the back line at centre half, with Doddington having to play out of position at right back.

Ely’s early dominance led to a deserved opening goal for their leading scorer Alex Theobald. He ran onto a header and with keeper Elvijs Putnins racing out the nippy striker beat him to the ball. At first it looked like he had pushed the it too wide but from a tight angle Theobald somehow curled his shot into the unguarded net.

Yarmouth looked to get back in the game and speculative shots from Davis and George failed to test the keeper before it looked like Perfect would equalise from a corner but, unmarked in the box, he hit his shot into the ground and wide.

The visitors’ short spell of possession was soon nullified when Ely extended their lead. Some good wing play resulted in a cross being pulled back for Theobald, whose run was untracked. His first time shot flew into the roof of the net as the dejected looking Bloaters sunk to their knees.

After the interval Applegate was soon replaced, having picked up an injury to the base of his foot, Cruise Nydazayo was introduced and proceeded to have a good game in an improved second half performance from the team as things were shuffled around slightly.

The Bloaters had the better of the possession while Ely threatened on the break to extend their lead but fortunately for the visitors Putnins remained on guard.

In the final stages a flurry from Yarmouth, who had introduced both Barnard and Hunter, created a mini scare for the home side. A shot from Olly Savage looked to be going in but it was deflected wide for a corner.

Then, on 89 minutes, substitute Tom Hunter grabbed his first senior goal for the club with a well-placed header from a Swatman corner.