Emley hosted Northern Premier League Division One West new boys Avro in the FA Cup Extra-Preliminary round – an exciting fixture in the football calendar that attracted a good crowd to the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground.

For a team that was founded at the factory of an aircraft manufacturer, Avro were suitably industrious and sturdy, maintaining momentum and control for significant portions of the game.

The Pewits never looked completely out of the tie, though, as they battled valiantly through a stop-start affair that was marred with plenty of fouls. Though they had their fair share of chances, including a penalty, but Emley could not salvage the tie.

In the first half, Emley’s chances came sparingly. Avro instantly went on the front foot as their number 9, Liam Ellis, managed to round Lambton in the Emley goal, however he was unable to finish the chance off.

The Pewits were made to work hard defensively, as Avro were well-drilled in the press. Emley struggled to play through their opposition and were forced into overplaying the ball on multiple occasions as Avro applied pressure.

After 10 minutes, though, Donae Lawrence found himself racing through in the left channel after some positive play from the home side. Under pressure from the defender, Lawrence’s shot was on target but met well by Avro’s ‘keeper, Shenton.

In-between such glimmers of hope for Emley, Avro continued to test the home defence, and forward, Liam Ellis, had the ball in the net on the 20-minute mark, but the linesman’s flag was raised. Offside, and a lifeline for Emley.
It was then Ruben Jerome’s chance to excite the Emley faithful, as he spotted the ‘keeper of his line and attempted an incredibly cheeky chip from a long way out that almost paid off but drifted well off-target in the end.

Ellis, the busy Avro number 9, had been a constant thorn in the side of Emley’s defensive unit throughout the first 45 minutes. After half an hour he got his just reward by deftly dinking the ball over Lambton to give Avro a one-goal advantage.

Emley finished the first half strongly, but throughout the game they left much to be desired with their final ball. Metcalfe had been impressively tireless in midfield, and The Pewits certainly did not lack determination or effort, despite lacking in the final third.

A final free kick taken by Walker whistled inches wide of the right post before the teams left the pitch for half-time.

After half-time, Emley flew out of the blocks with the wind on their side. Avro withstood an early period of pressure despite a heart-in-mouth moment for a defender, who sliced his clearance into the whipping wind, that took the ball and almost tested the keeper in the visitors’ goal, but eventually went out for a corner.

It was not long until Avro showed their attacking prowess again, as they found space in a dangerous position just inside the Emley area through Muis Bibire Bello, who did well to get the ball on his right foot, almost selling both defender and ‘keeper, but Lambton did terrifically to recover and save the resulting shot.

Barely a minute later, a long ball was knocked down into the path of Joseph Rathbone, who lashed home a wondrous left footed strike from range to make it 2-0 to Avro.

As the sun began to beat down on the pitch, Emley began to chase the game, desperately trying to correct the two-goal deficit. Lawrence was replaced by James Walshaw, who provided something different in attack. Walshaw made an instant impact, making a foraying run down the right flank and drawing what looked to be a foul that was not given by the referee.

Shortly afterwards, Walshaw was at it again as he charged onto a ball and ghosted past the Avro centre-back, who caught Walshaw from behind inside the box, resulting in an Emley penalty.

The crowd hushed as Walshaw stepped up to take the penalty he won. He drove the ball powerfully to the goalkeeper’s right, but a strong hand from Shenton met the strike to maintain Avro’s two-goal advantage. Agony for Walshaw and the Emley supporters watching on.

The remainder of the tie saw Emley pushing hard to get themselves back into the game but to no avail. Another substitute, Will Norcross, was almost clean through on goal before the 70th minute mark, but cruelly lost his footing and the Avro defence recovered. Five minutes later, Walshaw found himself in a footrace in the final third after an intelligent through pass but did not have the legs on Avro’s speedy centre-back.

As the game progressed, it was evident the game was getting away from Emley. Jake Kelly spent much of the final 10 minutes making brilliant recoveries as others committed forwards and firing long balls from deep that were like missiles, but the ball just would not stick for the Emley attackers.

In the dying moments, Paul Walker had the ball in the net for a consolation goal, but the flag had already been raised. The full-time whistle sounded and Emley had been well-beaten, despite a hardworking performance.

In a game against an Avro team one step above Emley in the pyramid, there are certainly positives to be taken away from this tie. The Pewits never surrendered in their attempts to get back into the game but were ultimately set back by a ‘wonder-goal’ in the second half that put the tie to bed. Emley will travel to Eccleshill on Wednesday night still in search of their first win of the season.

F/T Emley 0-2 Avro
EMLEY – Lambton, Kelly, Hardaker, Metcalfe, Pashley, Barks, Curtis, Haigh, Jerome, Lawrence, Walker; Subs used – Walshaw, Norcross, Clegg; Unused – Hennell
Moxon & Co. Man of the Match - Declan Lambton

GOALS – Ellis 34’, Rathbone 52’

Match details

Match date

Sun 06 Aug 2023

Kickoff

15:00

Attendance

301

Team overview