Pewits win 7 goal thriller!

AFC Emley 4-3 Worsbrough Bridge

AFC Emley took the spoils in a 7 goal thriller against 10 man Worsbrough Bridge at a chilly Fantastic Media Welfare ground.
In a game that had just about everything, cracking goals, a red card and a penalty, Emley twice had leads wiped out and finally sealed the win late on.
For the second home game in a row, Emley suffered a slow start and conceded within seconds, a long throw wasn't dealt with and Austin netted for the visitors with the aid of a deflection, although Emley soon regrouped
and were level within 5 minutes, the ball was moved from left to right and a low cross was bundled home by Andrew Horbury for his first goal in the Claret and Blue, Emley were steadily getting on top and after good work
in midfield Shane Hamilton cut inside onto his right foot but his shot curled the other way and wide of the post, Horbury looked to double his tally a few minutes later, but his towering header also went wide.
But Emley weren't about to let those misses affect them, Wayne Hughes, doing his best Franz Beckenbauer impression, strode out from the back, played a neat pass, and was there to receive again, this time, taking a step forward and unleashing a fizzing shot from the edge of the area which beat 'Briggers keeper Tyas all ends up, it was Hughes' 2nd goal in as many games, doubtful he'll score another as good as that!
Emley's dominance continued and Ben Mills, Hamilton and Horbury were causing the Worsbrough backline lots of problems, so much so that after bringing Horbury down on the edge of the area as the Emley striker appeared
to have a free run on goal, the referee agreed and gave a straight red to O'Connor who only came on as a sub 3 minutes earlier, the resulting free kick disappointingly came to nothing.
Then somewhat against the run of play, Worsbrough were awarded a penalty for a foul in the box, Mawson made no mistake and the 10 men were level on 43 minutes.
But not for long, just 2 minutes later and with the last piece of action of the first half, Captain James Stafford joined his centre back partner Hughes on the scoresheet with a firm header to retake the lead.
And so an enthralling first half came to and end with the Pewits 3-2 up and looking to go and finish the 10 men off.
H/T 3-2
To Worsbrough's credit they came out on a mission and had Emley on the back foot straight away and were duly rewarded on 50 minutes, when a superb curling shot from the left from Owen beat Adam Ledger's despairing dive
to sit snugly in the bottom corner, 3-3 and the visitors were playing with confidence, Emley were struggling to get any fluidity in midfield and the visitors were looking to take advantage and a quick up field move saw a shot go wide
Ben Mills got more into the game and his runs were causing problems and it was another good move from the right that saw Horbury almost snatch his second of the day, a great ball in was met by Horbury, but he poked his attempt just wide, Mills was again involved in Emley's next serious attack, firing a shot wide from a tight angle.
With the game descending into a war of attrition it needed something to lift it out of it's slumber,and Andrew Horbury duly obliged with a cracking strike, picking the ball up 25 yards out in the left hand channel, he took a steadying touch and then unleashed a stunning shot that, with a slight deflection, flew into the top corner in front of the delighted Emley fans in the Richard Hirst Stand behind the goals.
It was Horbury's 2nd goal of the game and his 2nd in Emley colours since his move from Glasshoughton.
Emley had snatched the lead back and were determined not to lose it again with only a few minutes left to play, and good work in keeping the ball in the corners and defending well when they had to eventually saw them through.
Both teams had given their all and both teams deserved the applause at the end, a cracking afternoons entertainment in front of a bumper crowd of 261, which will surely see some of those wanting more!
F/T 4-3
AFC Emley- Ledger (A) Stocker, Starkey, Whittaker, Stafford, Hughes, Mills, Ingham, Horbury, Townend, Hamilton: Subs used- Howe, Unused- Jackson, Cranswick, Wallace, Kemp
Attendance 261
Hepworth Group Man of the Match- Andrew Horbury