Report: Whickham (H)

Magnificent Emley are through to the quarter final of the FA Vase for the first time since 1988 with a superb battling performance to see off Whickham 2-0 at a raucous Fantastic Media Welfare Ground.

In a keenly and evenly contested game, it was Richard Tracey's Pewits who came out on top and booked their place in the last 8 with 2 goals in the last quarter of the game and they were roared on by the Emley fans who were celebrating at the end.

Emley are making quite a habit of scoring goals at the shed end in the second half of games, 10 of the last 12 goals at home have been netted in front of Emley's partisan fans at that end, and 11 of Emley's goals in the Vase have all come at this end too, with Heaton Stannington, West Didsbury & Chorlton, Charnock Richard and now Whickham all victims of Emley's second half showings.

This game, whilst not one that will rank high of any technical football lover's shortlist had plenty of aggression, determination and from Emley's point of view, a sheer bloody will to win.

The pitch looked in good nick considering the weather over the last few days, testament to an unsung team of heroes- Emley's ground staff -and after Gooden put a header over following Pashley's initial shot, there wasn't much goalmouth action until the 28th minute when Whickham found some space for a shot but only found the side netting.

The game was extremely physical at times as both sides gave everything, Emley were particularly aggrieved when keeper Petrovic, after receiving treatment took another blow following a late challenge which went unpunished, both sides were finding space to launch crosses and balls through but both defences stood firm.

Emley were then awarded a free kick just outside the area when Curtis was clattered after getting a shot away, Walshaw was inches away from breaking the deadlock but it flew narrowly over the bar instead.

Whickham keeper Lister was the busiest of the custodians and he was down low to stop a Jerome shot from finding its target after the NCEL's top scorer created space for the shot, within seconds, the visitors were charging up field and a quick break saw them with a chance on goal but the shot was wide to Emley's relief.

Both teams had chances as half time approached, first, Walshaw couldn't quite steer his shot on target after Jerome outmuscled the defenders and then at the other end, Petrovic was called upon to make his first real save from a long distance shot right on the whistle, pretty much even at the break then.

H/T- EMLEY 0-0 WHICKHAM

Emley fans usually look forward to the second half when they are shooting towards the Richard Hirst stand as the noisy fans seem to spur them on, the shed was even noisier today with the addition of around 100 fans who had travelled down from the North East and who were giving their team plenty of vocal support too.

It was Emley who started the half off the better, Gooden seeing a shot deflected for a corner, from the corner, Walshaw steered his header over the bar.

The game saw more physicality from the visitors, but this time they were punished with 2 quick yellow cards as The Pewits looked to take control of the tie, the first change for Emley came on 52' when Curtis, a victim of quite a bit of Whickham's physical stuff was replaced by Tom Haigh.

Emley were more than capable of dishing out a bit of meaty stuff, Clegg in particular put himself about in midfield as usual but always on the right side of the ref, Clegg himself was then clattered by an illegal challenge which saw a third Whickham player in the book.

It looked like Emley were chipping away at Whickham's defence, Gooden, Jerome and Walshaw causing them some real issues as a front 3 and Gooden saw a back post header go wide and Walshaw was denied by another save low down by Lister as the hour mark came and went.

Emley then enjoyed a tremendous spell of pressure, aided by the noise emanating from the ultras in the shed, a succession of corners ended with Cowgill heading narrowly wide before the game's opening goal finally came and thankfully for the home support it went to Emley.

Following another corner, Emley had racked them up in the last few minutes, Hardaker's ball from the right found its way into the area, was missed by a defender but wasn't missed by Emley defender Charlie Barks who stabbed home in front of a delighted shed to finally break the deadlock.

2 minutes after the goal, Petrovic was clattered again after stopping a Whickham attack but he was able to carry on, there was a massive shout for a penalty at the other end as Gooden was sent sprawling following a quick burst, but the ref wasn't interested much to Emley's dismay.

Barks then played his part in his defensive role as his superbly timed challenge stopped an almost certain shot on target as the visitors looked for a way back into the game, Emley, were upset again by another untidy challenge on Clegg on the touchline but again, it went unpunished.

But with the game now entering the final 10 minutes, Emley struck again to double their lead and effectively end the tie, Jerome again outmuscled the defence to win a header and steer it into the path of James Walshaw, who saw off 2 defenders before blasting the ball home and then celebrating, with the rest of the Emley team in front of a jubilant shed.

Whickham weren't quite done though and made it a bit of a nervous final few minutes, a shot flew over the bar and Cowgill was on hand to perform a textbook sliding tackle to prevent another good chance, there was then a scuffle as Petrovic again was targeted with a nasty looking challenge, again, the ref decided not to book a Whickham player but players from both sides got involved.

A couple more subs for Emley as the game approached the 90 minute mark, Jerome and Walshaw, both outstanding leading the line were replaced by Paul Walker and Joe Jagger respectively, the Emley fans, now in full voice and the silent Whickham contingent would have to wait another 6 minutes for the final whistle.

There was a huge cheer from the Emley fans in the 800+ crowd, Emley's biggest since their return to the village in 2005, celebrated reaching the last 8 for the first time since the Wembley side of 1988 did it, that's next month, for now, it's back to the league with the next game at home to Tadcaster Albion next Saturday.

F/T- EMLEY 2-0 WHICKHAM

ATTENDANCE- 828

EMLEY- Petrovic, Pashley, Hardaker, Kenny, Barks, Cowgill [c], Curtis, Clegg, Jerome, Gooden, Walshaw: Subs used- T.Haigh, Walker, Jagger; Unused- Randall, Eyles, Knowles, Smith.

GOALS- Barks (68') Walshaw (81')

Moxon and Co. Man of the Match- Joe Kenny