Rossington Main 1-2 Emley

Emley are on course for a superb league and cup double after overcoming Rossington Main in the NCEL league cup semi final in Doncaster.

Following their league title, The Pewits will now extend their season to 8th May when they will head to Scunthorpe United for the final.

The first half started off at a fair pace on a soggy looking pitch which had standing water on it in the morning.

Rossington got straight on the front foot but didn't really trouble the Emley defence.

It took Emley until the 2nd minute to launch their first attack but Jerome couldn't find room for a shot.

But just two minutes later the NCEL champions would take an early lead, following a foul on Gooden out left, Joe Clegg fired the free kick into the danger area and the ball appeared to take a touch off Jerome and into the net but Clegg was credited with the goal.

They fashioned another chance when Pashley and Walshaw combined but the effort was harmless.

Rossington hit back when a fast attack was halted by a foul in the area and a penalty was awarded which was tucked away, 1-1 after just 13 minutes.

It was almost 2-1 a few minutes later when Jerome found himself clear and rounded the keeper, he rolled the ball towards goal but could only watch in disbelief as the ball hit the post and rolled along the line before being cleared.

It was mostly Emley at this stage although they were struggling to create anything clear cut and they were almost punished when a mix up in defence resulted in Lambton having to pick the ball up resulting in a free kick inside the box, but the yellow Pewits wall kept strong qnr kept it out.

Both sides struggled to make much headway with only the odd half chance and Joe Kenny put Clegg in but the ball wouldn't run.
The pitch was really taking its toll as the half time whistle blew with neither side able to gain the ascendey.

H/T Rossington 1-1 Emley.

The second half was fairly open, Emley straight on the front foot and attacking and they troubled the Rossington defence who managed to clear their lines with Walshaw and Gooden trying to get the better of them.

But it was the hosts who enjoyed a purple patch, pinning Emley down in their own half and making the defence work hard.

3 or 4 decent chances were either off target or dealt with by the Emley defence who were holding on at times, but this team aren't the champions for nothing.

With fresh legs on in the shape of Donae Lawrence for Tom Haigh, Emley found a second wind, the Donae wasted little time in getting into the action but he pulled a long range shot wide.

Rossington had played the offside trap well all night but were finally caught out by Gooden but he couldn't beat the keeper who saved well with his legs.

Emley's next attack however would reap the rewards, the ball was played into the path of James Walshaw who had players around him but he showed superb skill to create space and curl a cracking shot beyond the keeper to the delight of Emley's usual big travelling support .

Emley made another change as Cowgill was replaced by Knowles.

Rossington weren't out of it though and came back with their dangerman Kianga crashing a belter of a shot against the bar, the same player was then denied by a good one on one save by Dec Lambton.

With time ticking down there was a nervous tension in the air as Emley tried to see the game out and Rosso trying to claw themselves back in it.

It was a terrific contest with both sides giving everything.

Walshaw was replaced by Curtis and received a rapturous applause from the visiting fans in contrast to Rossington's subs which were made in almost silence.

Emley were denied a third when both Gooden and Jerome were thwarted.

Knowles saw a header from a Curtis free kick saved as the champions looked to make the tie safe.

The final 2 subs saw Baldwin and Walker replace Hardaker and Jerome respectively.

And with no more clear cut chances it was all about seeing the game out and booking their place in the final on May 8th which they did despite coming under pressure from the hosts.

The champions were applauded off by their travelling army who will hopefully be clapping off the double winners next time they meet!

F/T Rossington 1-2 Emley

ATTENDANCE -283

EMLEY- Lambton, Pashley, Hardaker, T.Haigh, Barks, Cowgill (c), Clegg, Kenny, Jerome, Gooden, Walshaw; Subs used- Lawrence, Knowles, Baldwin, Curtis, Walker.

GOALS - Clegg/Jerome (3'), Walshaw (65').

Moxon and Co. Man of the Match - Joe Clegg