Match Reports - v Hemsworth Miners Welfare. Home Date:26.12.11

AFC Emley 3-2 Hemsworth MW. NCEL Division One (26/12/11)

Emley recorded a much needed victory over Hemsworth in an entertaining Boxing Day clash. Darren Hepworth’s men were without a win since October whilst Hemsworth in contrast had raced up the table with a run of 6 straight wins.

The odds were stacked against Emley who were without key players Josh Ingham, John Cyrus and Paul Banton. Hepworth also drafted in Hall Green goalkeeper Neal May on Christmas Eve in his search for answer to his side’s problems in that position.

May is now the 6th player to don the green jersey for Emley this season and he put in a confident display when called upon but the truth is that he was rarely tested in the way of shots to stop in a game that was dominated by the home side.

Playing down the slope with the wind at their backs Emley were on top for long spells and played their best football when they managed to keep the ball on the deck – any high balls were simply swept away to the bottom corner flag.

Hemsworth keeper Dale Walstow made a good block from Chris Wdowczyk in the early stages but was powerless to stop a well worked opening goal in the 11th minute.

A hooked ball across the face of goal by David Heagney was played back into the 6 yard box by Scott Holt giving Sean Hazelden a simple tap in to make it 1-0.

Heagney came close to the doubling the lead with an intelligent run and flicked header onto a Holt free kick but Walstow denied him with a terrific one handed save.

Stephen Powell did make it 2-0 in the 26th minute cutting in from the right and tucking a precise strike past Walstow from just inside the box.

Emley continued to press as the half went on but found the centre half pairing of Andrew Hart and Richard Elson tough to break down. Equally Emley’s back four, which featured Max Joice deployed as a sweeper did well to keep veteran Hemsworth striker Andy Hayward quiet.

Hemsworth did get themselves back into the game in the 41st minute as Hazelden headed a Matty Stor free kick into his own net making it 2-1 at half time.

The goal appeared to have buoyed the visitors and most in the crowd expected them come out in the second half looking to take advantage of the conditions. Instead it was Emley who took the initiative going into a 3-1 lead.

David Heagney notched his 25th goal of the season chipping past the advancing Walstow from the edge of the box after he got round the back of the Hemsworth defence on 49 minutes.

Hemsworth had a chance to claw one back soon after as Lewis Pearce gained possession following a slip by Ian Brock but sliced his shot across the face of goal. Haywood also had a decent chance after getting round the back of Joice but lashed his half volley over the bar.

At the other end of the field Heagney carved out a good opportunity for Mark Stuart with a lovely dinked ball over the top but Walstow did well to come out and save the ball at his feet.

Hemsworth did earn themselves a lifeline in the 90th minute after winning a free kick right on the edge of the Emley penalty area. May was helpless to stop a well hit strike by Hart which took a deflection in off the Emley wall.

May did make a crucial save in injury time from a low drilled shot by Lee Swift which would have been harsh on Emley, particularly as there were strong claims for a handball in the build up.

Darren Hepworth will be delighted with his side’s performance. Emley dealt with the conditions better than their rivals, created more and took their chances when it mattered.

Emley:
May, Joice (Lyness 76), Brock, Hazelden, Colley, Wdowczyk, Stuart, S Powell (A Powell 86), Heagney (Roberts 76), Holt, Dowling.

Cautions: Heagney. Attendance: 142
Emley man of the Match: Sean Hazelden