Report: Brigg Town (A)

Emley secured their place in the FA Vase 1st round with a 3-1 win at Brigg Town in the 2nd qualifying round and in doing so stretched the unbeaten run to 10 games.

After securing their place in the FA Cup 3rd qualifying round in midweek, The Pewits bagged themselves a place in the FA Vase 1st round proper for the second successive season.

Backed by another strong following, Emley started well but chances were somewhat limited, Clegg was unlucky not to connect at the back post from a ball in from the right and Nathan Curtis had the games' first real chance on goal but he fired wide.

Brigg started to get a foothold in the game but Emley's defence was resolute, The Pewits looking to counter attack down both flanks with Jake Kelly and Ross Hardaker accepting invitations to bomb forward, it was one such attack that saw Iyrwah Gooden with Emley's next chance but he couldn't get clean shot away and the danger was cleared.

James Walshaw was next to test the Brigg defence, he was onto a good through ball on the left side but chose to cut the ball back and Joe Clegg couldn't get to it before it was cleared, Walshaw was involved in Emley's next chance, he looked to have space to fire home but good defence saw him put under pressure and he fired over.

Brigg had a couple of half chances themselves, Lambton was forced to push one shot wide for a corner but it was easily dealt with, good rearguard action from Barks and Pashley kept The Zebra's in check though, and just before the half hour Emley would take the lead.

Following a good spell of pressure around the box, the ball was recycled out to the left where Nathan Curtis lofted a smart ball to the back post and right onto the head of Sam Pashley who buried a header past Brigg keeper Fenty, it was the defenders' 3rd goal in as many games in the last week following his last minute strikes against Mossley in the FA Cup ties.

However, Emley's joy was extremely short lived as the hosts equalised within 90 seconds, they caused problems in Emley's defence, the ball in wasn't cleared and Cross fired home past Lambton.

Walshaw was causing the home defence plenty of problems and after outfoxing the defence again he set up Joe Clegg who fired narrowly over the bar as Emley looked to reassert their authority over the team a league below them, and right on half time they duly did that.

After good play by Kelly, the ball found itself at the feet of James Walshaw who skipped past 3 defenders before placing a neat left footed strike past the keeper to restore the lead.

H/T BRIGG 1-1 EMLEY

Emley's dominance at the end of the first half carried on in the second half where they were pretty much dominant and but for better finishing could have had more than the 1 more goal they did post.

With the home team pushing for another equaliser, Emley were happy to soak up their pressure, Barks and Pashley unmoved and the midfield picking up the loose scraps, Emley were looking to counter every Brigg attack, Walshaw was again involved in Emley's first chance of the half but he couldn't quite sort his feet out and the keeper saved.

A free kick swung in from the right caused mayhem in the home defence and Barks saw his snap shot also saved by the keeper.

Emley made changes, the Brigg defence must have been relieved to see their chief tormentor Walshaw leave the field, only to be replaced by the imposing figure of Ruben Jerome, Paul Walker also replaced Tom Haigh and both substitutes were quick to introduce themselves to the hosts.

Almost immediately, Jerome and Walker were causing problems with their movement and strength, and after a few minutes of pressure, Emley finally found their third, the ball was won back expertly in midfield by Kenny, who set Kelly free down the right, a lovely ball into the box found Ruben Jerome who rounded the keeper with aplomb to send the ball nestling into the back of the net for number 3.

There was a sense that that would be the goal that killed off Brigg's resistance but to their credit they kept going although Lambton only had a couple of routine saves to make.

Shiraz Khan replaced Nathan Curtis with the minutes ticking down and Brigg also rang the changes as they looked to push Emley all the way.

However, Emley could have added more in the final 10 minutes as they kept a firm grip on the tie, Jerome's break downfield looked to find the supporting Walker but the final ball just eluded him, Jerome again was in the clear but he cut back when it looked like he would shoot and the danger was cleared.

Then, almost on time, Jerome and Walker combined, Walker forcing a defensive error which saw Jerome bear down on goal but the keeper did well to make a save, it mattered not though as Emley got the job done and booked their place in the next round and kept the unbeaten run going.
We now plan ahead for next Saturday's big FA Cup tie at Alfreton Town.

F/T BRIGG 1-3 EMLEY.

ATTENDANCE- 251
EMLEY- Lambton, Kelly, Hardaker, Kenny, Barks, Pashley, Clegg, Haigh[c[], Walshaw, Gooden, Curtis; Subs used- Walker, Jerome, Khan; Unused- Randall, Cowgill, Knowles, Metcalfe.
GOALS- Pashley (29'), Walshaw (45') Jerome (70')
Moxon and Co. Man of the Match- Charlie Barks