Report: Widnes (H) Cup

Magnificent Emley produced another stunning performance to thump NPL side Widnes 4-1 in the FA Cup 1st Qualifying round replay which sees Emley into the 2nd Qualifying round for the first time in over 20 years.

It follows the last round 5-1 hammering of Lower Breck and last weekend's 1-1 draw at Widnes, in which Emley could have easily won the tie.

But there was no such worries in the replay as Emley left their higher league opponents well beaten, it was class on Emley's lush grass compared the slog on Widnes' unpredictable artificial surface at the weekend.

Emley were right at it from the start, causing problems down both flanks and through the middle where Ruben Jerome bullied the Widnes defenders, there wasn't much goalmouth action but Emley had the upper hand, although the visitors did have a succession of early corners which Emley managed to deal with.

Clegg had an early shot blocked and then Jerome and Metcalfe combined but the final shot was off target, Saturday's hero, Donae Lawrence was also wide with a shot before Emley's dominance finally paid off.

Widnes failed to clear their lines and the ball was recycled at the back post, James Walshaw then forced the Widnes defender to put the ball into his own net for an own goal and The Pewits were on their way.

No sooner had the Emley celebrations died down then they would start up again as we doubled our lead, again, the defence failed to clear their lines, Ross Hardaker drilled in a low shot but that shot was then deflected into the net by Ruben Jerome.

Jerome, who caused problems all night was then involved in a collision with the Widnes keeper who received treatment, the goalie would make it to half time before being replaced.

The keeper would then make a good stop to prevent Jerome extending Emley's lead before Widnes then stunned the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground with a breakaway goal deep into added on time, a ball down their right appeared to have been offside but the ref played on, they squared the ball into the 6 yard area where Steele tapped in despite Stevie Smith lying prone and injured on the ground, Emley protested but the goal stood and the lead had been halved.

H/T- Emley 2-1 Widnes

The second half took a while to get going but it took Emley 6 minutes to kill off the tie and book a trip to Mossley in the next round, they played some really neat stuff, through the middle and out wide down both wings, Donae Lawrence again showing up well with some powerful runs.

The game, like Saturday's clash, got a bit physical with the ref quite happy to dish out yellow cards, there was some strong challenges going in and both teams gave as good as they got, even though some of the decisions left the crowd frustrated.

However, the Emley supporters would soon be cheering again as The Pewits struck for a 3rd time and a lovely goal it was, Jerome, again, bullying the defence with a strong run down the right and into the area where a neat little ball found James Walshaw who struck a delightful shot off the bar and into the back of the net.

It was probably the match winner as Widnes looked buried at that point, the Emley ultras in the shed were in celebratory mood and wanting more, and almost got it 2 minutes later, an attempted clearance was skewed horribly and only just missed the inside of a post as it went for a corner but the tie was well and truly put to bed in the 66th minute.

Emley repelled a Widnes attack and moved the ball up field and right to left, Paul Walker teased and toyed with a defender before spotting a lovely bursting run from Donae Lawrence who, without breaking stride, slotted neatly past the keeper for 4 and it was party time in the shed!

Donae almost had another not long after, following another great move down the Emley left, but he couldn't quite wrap a long leg around the ball enough and it squirmed wide.

To Widnes' credit, they didn't give up and kept plugging away but Emley's rear-guard was too good for them, their best chance came late on but Emley managed to clear away the danger from almost off the line, Widnes also had another good chance but a dreadful slice saw the ball skew well wide.

Emley were content to play out the last 10 minutes knowing that a 4th North West opponent in this years FA Cup was waiting, Mossley will know that Emley won't be a pushover, it's back to NCEL league action for Emley next as we host Knaresborough Town on Friday night.

F/T-Emley 4-1 Widnes

Attendance- 378
EMLEY- Lambton, Smith, Hardaker, Metcalfe [c], Cowgill, Pashley, Walker, Clegg, Walshaw, Jerome, Lawrence; Subs used- Knowles, Kelly, Gooden; Unused- Randall, Curtis, Norcross, Haigh.
GOALS- OG ('29) Jerome ('32), Walshaw ('60) Lawrence ('66)
Moxon and Co. Man of the Match- Ruben Jerome