AFC Emley vs Eccleshill United - NCEL 27th August 2012

Both sides went into the game enjoying good form with the visitors fresh from an FA Cup victory at NCEL Premier side Brighouse, whilst Emley had netted 10 goals in their previous two outings. Eccleshill had two former Emley players in their side: Lee Hill and Oliver Banks, son of Ian who is now manager at Eccleshill.

Emley started the strongest and Ashley Flynn ghosted round the back of left back Ben Snee into the path of Steven Kenworthy who skewed over the bar from a difficult angle. Flynn had a chance of his own soon after being fed by Anthony Haigh but shot just wide.

Banks pulled the strings in midfield for the visitors delivering a series of testing balls and had the first chance for the visitors but fired wide with a 30 yard free kick. He was partnered by the skilful Jae Lee in the centre of the park who made a tremendous jinking run into the Emley box before being denied by Paul Banton. Hill also had a free kick in a decent position but shot high and wide.

Kenworthy had a strong call for a penalty after being brought down inside the box but referee Stephen Mercer waved the strikers appeals away. He continued to cause problems and did well to lay the ball of to Haigh despite the attentions of 3 defenders but Karl Martin a great save from the midfielders strike.

Emley continued to turn the screw and hit the woodwork twice in the matter of seconds. Kenworthy rounded Martin and crossed from an acute angle to Flynn who did well to meet it but his header crashed against the crossbar. The ball was only cleared as far as Doran Jordan who smashed a shot in from the edge of the box against the upright.

Hill received a red card on the half hour marks after aiming a headbutt at Emley captain Banton. The incident followed a foul on Hill by John Cyrus who received a caution for his challenge.

Emley now had a great opportunity to take a firm grip of the game but failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage. Haigh had two efforts in quick succession, the first was blocked by a defender before falling kindly back to him but Martins spread himself to make a good save from the second effort. Minutes later Martins thwarted Haigh again after Jordan had slotted a fine ball into his path. The visitors keeper rounded off a fine first half’s performance with a smart save from a dipping Flynn volley.

A fine move involving Lee, Ricardo Cubillo and Clifford Lyle almost unpicked the Emley defence but there was nobody there to convert Lyles pull back. Andy Howland registered Eccleshill’s first shot on target in the dying minutes of the half but has tame strike was simple enough for Luke Herriot to save.

The second half started steadily with Eccleshill having the better of the possession but little to show for it in front of goal, Lyle’s miscued shot being their best chance. Emley responded with Cyrus striding down the left wing before aiming a testing cross towards Kenworthy, Snee managed to lash a boot at it but only succeeded in directing towards goal and had the agile Martins to thank for clawing it away.

Minutes later Kenworthy fell over a stray leg in the penalty area and this time referee Mercer pointed to the penalty spot. The decision incensed Eccleshill and indeed it looked less like a penalty than the earlier incident. Unfazed, Haigh stepped up and sent Martins the wrong way to net his 5th of the season.

Liam Schofield almost added another soon after catching out Eccleshill with a low and hard free kick into the side netting. Eccleshill generally stayed disciplined at the back and gave the Emley forwards little room to carve out chances.

Darren Hepworth brought on Josh Ingham and Mark Stuart into the centre of midfield replacing Haigh and the injured Banton with Cyrus dropping back to centre half on 75 minutes.

The visitors fought hard to get an equaliser but Herriott pulled off a smart block at the feet of substitute Adam McCabe and then did well to keep a fierce 25 yard free kick from Banks at bay.

Cyrus picked up a second yellow card minutes later for an innocuous looking challenge on 83 which left just Sean Hazelden at the back to offer any height. At the other end of the field Flynn and Stuart both fired wide as Emley failed to put the game out of reach.

Eccleshill finally made the breakthrough deep into injury time as Dean Wharam conceded a free kick well inside the visitors half. They threw men foward in numbers packing the Emley penalty area as Banks delivered a superb free kick into the danger zone which was converted by the Eccleshill captain Ben Lamb with a close range header.

Emley will be disappointed not to hold on for all 3 points which would have elevated them to the top of the table. Eccleshill ultimately dealt with being reduced to 10 men better than their hosts and despite creating less chances than Emley they worked hard for point and are the strongest opposition we have come up against to date.

Emley:
Herriott, Thornton, Leech, Cyrus, Hazelden, Banton (Ingham 75), Haigh (Stuart 75), Jordan, Kenworthy (Wharam 67), Flynn, Schofield.
Subs (not used): Roberts, Wdowczyk. Att: 132. Emley man of the Match: Anthony Haigh.

Emley Cautions: Wharam. Sent off: Cyrus (2 yellows).