Match Reports - v Stocksbridge PS. Home Date:08.11.11

Emley 2-5 Stocksbridge Park Steels. Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup 2nd Round (8/11/11)

Emley exited the Sheffield Cup at the second round stage with 5-2 defeat to Evo Stik Premier side Stocksbridge on a murky night at the Welfare Ground.  Before the game Emley boss Darren Hepworth had singled out the Steels frontman Jack Muldoon as their biggest threat and was proved right as he weighed in with a match winning performance

Hepworth had his regular centre half partnership of Judd Colley and Sean Hazelden back in the side but was without suspended pair Josh Ingham and Mark Stuart and the injured John Cyrus, Marc Townsend and Chris Wdowczyk who pulled up in the warm up.  Consequently he paired Max Joice and Brad Dowling in the centre of defence.

Emley got off to a flying start taking the lead after just 24 seconds as Dean Wharam took advantage of a defensive mix up between Chris Glarvey and goalkeeper Ben Scott nipping in with a composed finish.

Stocksbridge responded with a long range effort by Muldoon and strike partner Mark Ward cracked a free kick against the upright with Emley keeper Adam Valente well beaten before drawing level on 8 minutes.  Muldoon was the scorer from the edge of the box after a breakdown in communications between Colley and Valente.    He almost added another soon after unleashing a dipping drive which was this time tipped over expertly by Valente. 

Emley had chances of their own hitting Steels on the break with the pace of Wharam the key.  Gavin Armitage delivered a ball from the right wing that was headed back into the path of Wharam who turned and drove his shot into the side netting.

Steels took the lead on 23 minutes as good interplay between Muldoon and Ward set up Richard Stirrup with clean strike into Valente’s right had corner.   The visitors were beginning to make their superiority show and only a Nick Reid clearance off the line stopped them from extending their lead further.

Scott made a couple of good saves for Stocksbridge from Wharam at close range and Dowling volley to prevent Emley from drawing level before his side extended their lead 2 minutes from half time.  It was Muldoon who again did the damage making space for himself and firing past Valente from the edge of the box.

Stocksbridge’s fourth goal came on 48 minutes with Muldoon the creator, pulling the ball back for Andy Ring who had a simple finish. 

Emley looked lacklustre and demoralised until Hepworth made a double substitution on 58 minutes introducing Ian Brock and youngster Adam Powell for Reid and Dowling with Scott Holt moving into the centre of the park. 

The substitution provided Emley with some fresh impetus and Powell went close with his first touch as Scott made a smart save at his near post.   Then Wharam scored his second goal from close range as Heagney got round the back of the Steels defence and delivered a good ball across the face of goal into his path.

Play switched from end to end as the visitors appeared to adopt a shoot on sight policy as a deep fog drifted in.  Ring almost caught Valente out from long range and Ward also went close from outside the box.  The Emley keeper was called upon to make a good save from substitute Chris Adam as he advanced into the penalty area.

Wharam went close to notching  a hat trick heading just over from a Heagney cross, then he smashed a well hit first time effort just wide after racing onto a clever ball over the top. 

Steels ended any hopes of an Emley comeback in the 81st minute as the outstanding Muldoon carved a path through the Emley defence before pulling the ball back for Adam to slot home. 

Wharam again came close to completing a hat trick in the closing stages after being released by Heagney but he took a touch too many as he attempted to round Scott and the keeper saved his shot from a tight angle. 

At the end of the game nobody could argue that the better side had won as Stocksbridge showed the obvious difference in class between the Evo Stik Premier and the NCEL Division One.  Muldoon caused problems for the Emley defence all evening and ultimate proved to be the match winner.

Emley:
Valente, Reid (Brock 58), Tayo, Joice, Colley, Hazelden, Holt, Dowling (Powell 58), Heagney, Wharam, Armitage.
Subs (not used):  Ryan, Sykes.             Att: 126.          Caution:  Joice.
Emley man of the match:  Dean Wharam