Ely City set for big encounters in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division play-offs against Downham Town and Cambridge Invitation Cup final versus March Town United

Ely City are preparing for what they hope will be three of the biggest games in the club’s history.

On Saturday the Robins head to Downham Town in the semi-finals of the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division play-offs (3pm) before taking on March Town United in the Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup final at Cambridge City FC on Tuesday (7.45pm).

And providing that they are able to get the better of Downham, Guy Habbin’s side will then take on either Fakenham Town or Walsham-le-Willows in the play-off final on May 3.

But rather than get swept away by the importance of each occasion, Habbin is eager for his players to remain focused on their own performance levels.

“If you look at the four teams in the play-offs, I think it’s a good thing for football,” said Habbin.

“I’d say they’re all clubs on a similar level to us. They like to use young, local players and they all have an identity, so it doesn’t really matter who we do or don’t play.

“It’s three very good teams with managers that I have a lot of respect for.

“For us, we’ve got to treat it like any other game. And just like we have asked for all season, we need a performance.

“We’ve beaten Downham, Walsham and Fakenham this season and what that gives us is an understanding of what is required and the performance we need to produce to get a positive result.

“If we’re not at the level – and that can be down to the opposition or us – then we’ll find it hard to get over the line.”

Meanwhile, the cup final against his former club March is not currently at the forefront of Habbin’s thinking.

He explained: “We know March are a very good side and like us they have the play-offs in their league.

“It’s a final and just like the play-off games, it will be down to our performance levels.

“But at the same time we can’t worry about that too much. We could do all the planning now and then we get two injuries on Saturday and that blows all that preparation.

“We’ll start to get a plan in place after Saturday’s game.”