Match Reports - v Hemsworth Miners Welfare Home Date:13.09.11

AFC Emley 4-2 Hemsworth MW. NCEL League Cup First Round

Emley gained revenge for their defeat at Hemsworth earlier in the season with a well earned 4-2 over arch-rivals Hemsworth. Games between the two sides are always full entertaining affairs and this was no exception with both sides fully committed to the task in difficult conditions.

Hemsworth won the toss and opted to play downhill with the wind behind their backs and immediately set about testing the hosts with high balls swirling in the air testing Mick Clark. The Emley keeper made a good reaction save from Robbie Crapper as the talented winger shot from a sharp angle.

Emley responded with some good attacking football and David Heagney delivered a well weighted ball through to Scott Holt who was unfortunate to see his effort hit the post. Soon after, on 13 minutes Heagney put Emley in the lead from the penalty spot after being dragged down in the box. The striker took his tally to 7 goals with 6 in consecutive games sending Dale Walstow the wrong way with a well taken spot kick.

John Cyrus almost doubled the lead soon after but his header from a Brad Dowling cross went just wide of the mark. The home team continued to play some good controlled football with Cyrus and new signing Chris Wdowczyck dominant in the middle of the park.

At the other end of the field veteran striker Andy Haywood was Hemsworth’s most dangerous outlet. The 41 year brought a fine save from Clark with a wind aided shot from distance and soon after got the better of Sean Hazelden with a good run but slipped when through on goal with just Clark to beat.

Holt and Heagney again showed their growing understanding up front for Emley. Heagney got into a great position to latch onto a Holt free kick but Walstow again put himself at the right place at the right time to save from close range. The two combined well again soon after this time a surging run by Heagney set up Holt who was again denied by Walstow.

Hayward should have drawn the scores level with a free header from close range but missed the target before Ross Haywood crashed a long distance piledriver against the bar from long range. Hemsworth were rewarded for this good passage of play with a goal which has to go down as an error by the Emley rearguard.

Clark, Dowling and Hemsworth’s Haywood all challenged for a lofted ball with Haywood getting a touch with his head which fell into the arms of Clark who spilled the ball behind him and over the goal line.

Clark made amends soon after to keep the scores level with close range stop from Crapper who then tried his luck in the wind with a 40 yard effort which sailed over the bar.

Emley showed great character to get back into the game and Anthony Leech sprung the Hemsworth offside trap to race clear of the Hemsworth defence, bearing down on Walstow who had rushed out the box the defender took the ball wide then squared unselfishly to Holt who fired home into an empty net for his 7 goal of the season on 44 minutes.

The goal incensed the Hemsworth players and fans who claimed that Holt was in an offside position but referee Jane Simms correctly ruled that Holt had been behind the ball when the ball was played, therefore not in an offside position.

Emley continued in a similar vein in the second half with Holt forcing an error and latching onto a backpass before dragging the ball back to Heagney who was again thwarted by a good save by Walstow. Holt again provided the ammunition for his partner lofting a ball into Heagney who turned and cracked a 25 yard effort which went just over the bar.

Hemsworth drew level on 62 minutes with Haywood capitalising from 10 yards out as Clark found himself out of position after colliding with a Hemsworth attacker as an earlier cross had come over.

Within a minute of the restart Emley were back in front. Holt made a good run down the left before pulling the ball back to Heagney whose shot was blocked but Wydowczk drove home to put the icing on a fine debut performance.

The visitors did not give up on the game and worked hard to get back into the game. Dean Foley should have done better from close range and Lee Swift tried his luck with a well hit shot which zipped just wide of the goal.

Emley remained dangerous on the break with Marc Townsend bursting down the right wing to deliver a ball to Heagney who was unable to add to his tally. Heagney returned the favour for Townsend who missed a gilt edged opportunity to put the game out of sight blasting wide from close range.

Substitute Gavin Armitage was on hand to wrap up the game in the third minute of injury time however rounding Walstow then slotting home to make the final score 4-2. Walstow completed an unhappy night after receiving a red card for dissent as the teams left the pitch after the final whistle.

This was another strong performance from Emley full of character and boss Darren Hepworth will be pleased with the quality in his squad who were without Nathan Tayo, Curtis Roberts and Josh Ingham. Hepworth will be looking for more of the same when his side travel to Dinnington on Saturday.

Emley:
Clark, Leech, Dowling, Cyrus, Colley, Hazelden, Wdowcyzk, Townsend (90+2), Heagney, Holt (Reid 77), Stuart (Armitage 85).
Subs (not used): Brock, Irving. Bookings: Wdowczyk Att: 105. Emley man of the match: