Report: Alfreton Town (A)

Emley's magnificent FA Cup run is over after they went down to a narrow 1-0 defeat at Alfreton Town.

Before kick off there were 3 levels and 74 places difference between the sides but you couldn't tell as Emley more than matched their National League North opponents and were seconds away from earning another replay.

The game was played out in driving and swirling rain but that didn't dampen the spirits of Emley's players or their army of fans behind one goal.

Emley kicked towards those fans in the first half but it was Alfreton who carved out the first chance of the game but Lambton made an easy save, good defending from Emley kept Alfreton at bay for the next few minutes.

The Pewits then found their stride and managed to push the Reds back and attack, Ruben Jerome couldn't quite connect with a Pashley throw and Alfreton cleared the danger.

Pashley's throw ins were causing problems for the home defence and another effort was eventually collected by the keeper following a juggle with Jerome ready to pounce, a 3rd throw in then almost resulted in the first goal as a goal bound header was eventually cleared but Emley couldn't recycle the ball and continue the attack.

It was Alfreton's turn to attack next as a knock down was hammered towards goal but Lambton saved well, the Emley keeper was called into action a couple of minutes later from a header from a corner, it was pretty much even for the first half an hour with neither side finding a breakthrough, both defences cancelling each other out and looking to counter.

Jerome saw a shot go wide in the slippy conditions and Knowles couldn't recycle despite his best efforts, and at the other end Alfreton saw another shot saved by Lambton as the half time whistle blew.

H/T-ALFRETON 0-0 EMLEY

Emley were the first to try their luck in the second half, the ball wasn't cleared and Hardaker's shot was blocked by the defence, and then it was Emley's defence that was called into action to deal with a long throw.

However, 10 minutes into the half and the hosts struck, a ball down the Emley right saw 2 unfortunate slips in the skiddy conditions and Fewster took full advantage, cutting inside and blasting past an outstretched Lambton.

Emley had to clear another long throw and concede a corner from a good shot as Alfreton looked to put the tie and their NCEL opponents to bed, but Emley are stubborn and refused to concede again, instead they found their offensive feet and attacked their hosts again.

A corner from Walker saw a flashing header saved, then a good move down the right saw a good ball swung in the box but the keeper came and gathered it safely.

Clegg replaced Walker as Emley freshened things up but within a couple of minutes they conceded a penalty from a clumsy challenge inside the area, it was Day who stepped up to put the hosts 2 up but it was the Emley supporters who were celebrating as Dec Lambton dived low to his right to save superbly and keep the Pewits in the game.

Walshaw replaced Haigh as Emley looked to get an equaliser with time ticking down.

Both sets of fans were backing their teams as the game entered the last 10 minutes with the hosts holding a narrow lead, Lambton was again forced into a save from a header.

Emley refused to accept defeat and they continued to battle and look for an opportunity which almost came but Hardaker's whipped ball in was inches away from Walshaw's boot as Emley made a 3rd substitution, Nathan Curtis replacing Charlie Barks.

It looked like Emley's battling would end in defeat but then with a minute left, a foul inside the Alfreton area saw the referee award Emley a penalty, joy and anticipation from the Emley fans, but the joy would be short lived as like Lambton before him, the Reds keeper dived to his right to deny James Walshaw and end Emley's hopes.

They might have been beaten but Emley weren't defeated and at the final whistle, despite being so close to another replay, they were applauded off by their fans and also by the Alfreton fans who appreciated the efforts from Emley.

So the FA Cup run comes to an end in glorious defeat at the 3rd qualifying round and attention now turns to NCEL league action when a visit to Rossington Main is on order on Tuesday.

F/T- ALFRETON 1-0 EMLEY.

ATTENDANCE- 446

EMLEY- Lambton, Pashley, Hardaker, Barks, Knowles [c], Cowgill, Walker, Kenny, Jerome, Lawrence, Haigh; Subs used- Clegg, Walshaw, Curtis; Unused- Randell, Metcalfe, Kelly, Khan.