Match Reports - v Hall Road Rangers Home Date: 19.08.11

AFC Emley 1-4 Hall Road Rangers. FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round (20/08/2011)

Emley went out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle NCEL Premier side Hall Road Rangers on Friday evening. They went into the tie buoyed by a 4-0 demolition of Appleby Frodingham 48 hours earlier but ended up being outclassed by their higher level opposition.

Rangers had the better of the opening exchanges forcing a couple of corners without particularly threatening the Emley goal but the home side responded playing some attractive flowing football.

The pace of the game was entertaining but lacking in clear cut goalscoring opportunities for either side. Emley’s David Heageny had the first decent chance of either side, quarter of an hour into the game with a curling effort which drifted just wide of the top right hand corner.

The visitors responded with a goal on 21 minutes, the Emley defence allowing Michael Bettney to get a free header on a Scott Turner set piece.

Heagney came close to drawing the scores level again with a skilful turn and shot from the edge of the box which brought a good save from Adam Nicklin who tipped the ball over the bar to safety for the visitors.

Heagney’s strike partner Matt Kilner also brought a save from Nicklin with a low angled drive, but as Emley started to edge the balance of play it would be the visitors who scored just before half time.

The goal came from a mistake in midfield allowing Neil Towler into space, the striker saw off the attentions of Judd Colley and fired a well taken shot past Mick Clarke into the bottom corner.

The goal served to be a killer blow for a dispirited Emley who looked lacking in belief as the second half kicked off. Turner had an early chance for the visitors but fired into the side netting before setting up his sides 3rd goal minutes later.

Turner beat Clarke to a ball that the goalkeeper should have claimed before aiming goalwards from a tight angle allowing Towler to turn the ball home from short distance.

3-0 down with 35 minutes to go Emley boss Darren Hepworth changed to 3 men at the back with Sean Hazelden sacrificed for the more attack minded Marc Townsend.

Heagney made a good break into the box and delivered the ball to Holt who was unable to add to his midweek double being ushered out by two of the visitors defenders.

With Emley pushing forward in numbers the risk of conceding another goal was always inevitable and sure enough one came on 70 minutes. Turner was again the architect leaving the Emley defence in disarray and before releasing the ball to Tom Crane to tuck home.

Emley did add an injury time consolation effort, Heagney finished from close range after Nicklin could only parry a stinging shot from Scott Holt.

Emley were punished for some disorganised defending and a failure to create chances at the other end of the park. Rangers on the other hand took the few chances that they had were full value for their victory.

Hepworth must now look to pick his team up and put some important league points on the board when they entertain Hallam on Tuesday evening at the Welfare Ground (7.45pm kick off).

Emley:
Clarke, Leech, Tayo, Cyrus, Colley (c), Hazelden (Townsend 55), Ingham, Stuart (Amos 74), Heagney, Kilner (Armitage 63), Holt.

Subs (not used): Rhodes, Arundel. Bookings: Stuart. Att: 131