Report: Widnes (A) Cup

A battling performance on a difficult looking pitch saw Emley earn themselves a Tuesday night replay with Widnes from the Northern Premier League after a 1-1 draw in Cheshire in the FA Cup 1st Qualifying round.

Emley were more than a match for their higher league opponents and will possibly feel they could have secured their place in the 2nd qualifying round without the need for a replay but a replay is just reward.

The game was a physical one with players from both sides feeling the strain which took a while to get going as both teams tried to work out what the pitch was going to do, sometimes the ball bounced high, others it barely bounced at all, but Emley had a sight at goal early on but Iyrwah Gooden's lob wasn't enough to trouble the keeper.

Walker was next to try his luck but his shot was wide as Emley looked to get on top, Gooden had another sight at goal but his shot was saved by the Widnes keeper, the hosts then had their first real chance but after good work the shot was blazed well over.

There was a blow for Emley as Joe Kenny came off injured to be replaced by Alex Metcalfe in the engine room for The Pewits, Metcalfe made an instant impact with some solid tackling to set up the next chance, a neat ball into Clegg, who steadied himself and then hit a good shot which was deflected for a corner which was dealt with by the defence.
Both sides had a couple of shots blocked by the defences, who remained on top going into half time.

H/T-Widnes 0-0 Emley

The first half lacked real quality and Emley probably just shaded it on chances created, but Widnes know this pitch better and Emley knew they would improve in the 2nd period.

However, it was the Yorkshiremen who struck barely 2 minutes into the half, good build up saw Gooden tease the defence before playing a sublime ball into the path of Donae Lawrence who curled a beautiful low shot into the bottom corner and celebrated with the Emley fans who were in raptures.

That goal then seemed to spur the hosts on as they enjoyed their best spell of the game so far, Lambton was called into action to prevent a one on one chance going in, but he was powerless to stop the next chance which resulted in a Widnes equaliser.

After carving out some space down their right, a well timed cross was met by the head of Van Wyk who buried a header beyond Lambton.

Another change for Emley, another injury, this time, Norcross replaced Walker, and it was Widnes who carved out the next chance but somehow the striker managed to send the ball wide.

With the game becoming more physical and the chances becoming rarer, it was turning into a battle of wills as both teams struggled to create much, another sub for Emley to freshen things up, Walshaw who not long since had a shot saved was replaced by Jerome, there then came a potential controversial moment in the game, with Emley attacking down the right the ball appeared to hit a Widnes hand, Emley players and fans all appealed but the ref waved play on only for him to blow for a Widnes free kick in a dangerous position to the dismay of the claret and blues.

Into the last 10 minutes and both sides kept battling away, Widnes probably had the best chance to seal it with a series of good chances, one went over, the other went wide and Lambton was forced into a good save to maintain parity.

But Emley managed to see out the remaining 6 minutes added on to take the tie back to Yorkshire and took the applause of their sizeable travelling support.

The tie will be settled in Emley and on grass on Tuesday evening.

F/T Widnes 1-1 Emley
Attendance- 235
EMLEY- Lambton, Smith, Hardaker, Kenny, Knowles[c], Pashley, Clegg, Lawrence, Walshaw, Gooden, Walker; Subs used- Metcalfe, Jerome, Norcross; Unused- Randall, Curtis, Kelly.

Goal- Lawrence ('47)
Moxon and Co. Man of the Match- Donae Lawrence