AFC Emley v Hallam FC - NCEL 3rd August 2012

The fixture was brought forward to the Friday to avoid a clash with the cricket club and was attended by a crowd of 155 that featured World Emley started the game strongest with the emphasis on getting the ball down and playing from the off. A good passing move early on set up Doran Jordan who fired over the bar, Chris Wdowczyk also came close with a firm shot just wide of the upright following more patient build up play.

They made the breakthrough in the 11th minute however as Hallam’s Lewis Naylor failed to clear a back pass directing the ball into the path of Ashley Flynn who hit a well weighted chip back over the keepers head from 25 yards out.

Hallam responded well however and frontman Danny Wiltshire chipped just over the bar following some hesitancy by the Emley defence. They were back on level terms 2 minutes later as Wiltshire headed home from close range at the far post following a fine cross by James Cook.

Jordan had a lively game on the right flank causing great problems for the Hallam defence and was frequently stopped in his tracks by some overly physical play. Front two Flynn and Dean Wharam also contributed with hard working performances.

The visitors also had plenty of threat about their own play with Wiltshire and captain Ben Kistell at the heart of the action. Wiltshire got the better of Sean Hazelden before firing in from close range but was denied by Mick Clark in the Emley goal.

Ben Cobley rattled the Emley crossbar moments later after dispossessing Anthony Haigh in midfield. Then, Matthew Thompson nearly capitalised on some static Emley defending with a fine turn and volley in the box which flew just over the bar.

With Hallam taking a firm grip on the game Emley managed to catch them on the break with a ball over the top to Wharam who controlled it well before hitting cracking shot which rebounded off Naylor but into the path of Mark Stuart who again saw his shot saved by Naylor.

Emley were back in front on 42 minutes as Hazelden nodded home a Wdowczyk corner. They would consider themselves slightly fortunate to be in the lead after being second best for long periods of the half.

At times during the game Emley did play some entertaining and enterprising football which bodes well for the coming season if they can do it more consistently. One of their best moves of the game came right at the start of the second half. Started by Wharam it involved Matt Thornton, Jordan and Stuart before coming back to Wharam who crossed to Flynn who was agonisingly close to forcing it home.

Kistell fired a shot straight at Clark as Hallam looked to regain their grip on the game. Matthew Thompson should also have done better from close range after Wiltshire had set him up.

Around the hour mark the momentum swung back Emley’s way as their fitness prevailed. Darren Hepworth introduced fresh legs in the shape of Liam Schofield, Steven Kenworthy and Josh Ingham to steady the ship. Wiltshire and Kistell were visibly tiring from their efforts for the visitors and subsequently substituted.

Jordan and Thornton linked up well down the right flank for Emley throughout the game. Both created good chances for Wharam but he found his well placed header saved by Naylor, then minutes later fired into the side netting.

Ash Flynn forced a tremendous save from Naylor latching onto a Wharam cross and unleashing an acrobatic first time volley. Minutes later Flynn made a fine run slicing through the Hallam midfield beating 3 players but his shot from the edge of the box was saved comfortably by Naylor.

Despite playing at centre half John Cyrus was given licence to get up the field and made a striding run from in his own half exchanging a one-two with Wdowczyk before shooting but Naylor again dealt with the threat.

Hallam rallied in the later stages of the game as they attempted to force an equaliser. The tireless Jordan made a fine last ditch block with the Emley’s defence stretched and Clark pulled off a terrific 1 handed save from a rasping angled drive by Hallam’s Joe Coy as they held firm to take all 3 points.

This was by no means a perfect performance from Emley, they showed great promise at times with some entertaining attacking football but will need to tighten things up at the back. Hallam look to be emerging as a strong side and will be disappointed not to have taken a point out of the game.

Emley:
Clark, Thornton, Bradshaw (J) (Schofield 57), Haigh, Cyrus, Hazelden (capt), Stuart (Ingham 77), Jordan, Wharam, Flynn (Kenworthy 77), Wdowczyk.

Subs (not used): Roberts, Lyness.

Emley: Flynn 11, Hazelden 42. Cautions: Stuart.
Hallam: Wiltshire 13. Cautions: Carnall

Attendance: 155. Man of the match: Doran Jordan