Emley's Vase Dream Over

They had dispatched 3 other higher level opponents on the way to this stage in the competition but were eventually undone by an early goal by the Ipswich side.

Marcus Josiah, capitalised on some hesitancy in the Emley midfield before running free to slot the ball past Luke Herriot with barely 2 minutes on the clock. Things looked ominous for Emley, the visitors certainly looked a strong and skilful side and it certainly appeared that they would have their work cut out to stay in touch with Hadleigh.

They gradually found their way back into things and would eventually dominate the rest of the half. John Cyrus headed onto the roof of the net from a free kick and Liam Schofield hit a fizzing drive from 25 yards out which forced an impressive save from Darren Moyes.

Aaron Joseph put in an energetic display for Emley from the middle of the park but in fact popped up in most areas of the field at one time or another. Moyes was there again thwarted him from close range inside the 6 yard box.

Doran Jordan also put in one of his best shifts in an Emley shirt and was unlucky to see his shot spin just wide after beating a man turning inside and driving from the edge of the box.

Moyes commanded his box well for the visitors and made a good claim from another Cyrus header which was heading goalbound.

Meanwhile Emley’s leading scorer Ashley Flynn, passed a late fitness test but appeared a shadow of his normal self and spurned his best chance, firing wide after Cyrus flicked on an Anthony Haigh cross into his path.

Despite their dominance Emley might well have gone in two goals down at half time as Hadleigh striker Lee McGlone was allowed a free header at goal but the ball spun across the face of goal and bounced back off the base of the post.

Emley came out fighting in the second half but found themselves up against a well organised back line and a goalkeeper in top form. Moyes made a decent stop from a Haigh drive from just outside the box, then Schofield drove just over the bar from a free kick as Emley piled on the pressure.

His best save of the game came from a Steven Kenworthy volley from the edge of the 6 yard box, tipping the ball round the post to safety.

Hadleigh’s play was very much a case of trying to catch Emley out on the break. McGlone dispossessed Emley skipper Paul Sykes on the half way line before driving into the box and feeding Scott Chaplin. Herriot however was at his best to palm Chaplin’s fierce drive round the post.

Emley boss Darren Hepworth introduced Brad Riley in place of Flynn with 20 minutes to go, moving Kenworthy into the central strikers role. Riley made an instant impact, releasing the overlapping Schofield down the left who then put a low ball across the face of goal with Kenworthy agonisingly close to poking it home.

Emley kept creating but when Schofield rattled the crossbar with another free kick and Kenworthy’s drive from the edge of the box went just wide of the post it was clear that this just wasn’t to be their day.

Whilst there was no expectations upon Emley to even make it to this stage in the competition, on this display they might easily have been competing in the 5th round next week. Darren Hepworth’s big test is now picking the players up for their away trip to Appleby Frodingham on Wednesday evening (7.45pm) and from their getting their promotion hopes back on track.

Emley:
Herriot, Leech, Schofield, Ingham, Sykes, Cyrus, Joseph, Jordan (Maturine 82), Flynn (Riley 70), Haigh, Kenworthy. Subs (not used): Roberts, McIntosh.

Hadleigh:
Moyes, McLaughlin, Wardley, Barwick (Jennings 53), Goldfinch, Donnelly, Josiah (Blades 60), Calver, McGlone, Canfer (Driscoll 80), Chaplin. Subs (not used): Stace, De Lara Bell.

Man of the Match: Aaron Joseph. Attendance: 305.
Goal: Josiah (Hadleigh 2 mins) Cautions: Jordan (Emley) 62 mins.