Schofield inspires 4-0 win over Askern

The final result reflected a comfortable victory but after a brilliant 7-1 win over Rossington the week before this performance was not as convincing. Emley dominated the possession but lacked the cutting edge that they are capable of.

Steven Kenworthy lead the line once again after netting a hat trick last week and he was quickly in the thick of the action once again. First he fired just over the bar after being supplied by John Cyrus who had made a great run from centre back.

Then, Kenworthy had a shot cleared off the line by John Austin after getting the better of Askern keeper Nathan Hardaker from a 1 on 1 situation. The ball ran free to Aaron Joseph who then appeared to be upended by an Askern defender as he teed up a shot at goal. Referee Craig Hainsworth waved appeals for a penalty away.

Hardaker denied Kenworthy with a good block from 10 yards out, then from the resulting corner Josh Cooke had his header cleared off the line with Kenworthy unable to force the loose ball back over the line.

It could be argued that Emley had played with too much complacency after their win the week before and were expecting more of the same this time out, eventually this turned to frustration and Levi Maturine missed a gilt edged opportunity to put them in front, scooping the ball over from 6 yards out after Doran Jordan had drawn Hardaker and hooked the ball across the box to Maturine.

The home side finally made the breakthrough on 31 minutes with an excellent piece of football. Askern cleared a corner only but as far as Josh Ingham who knocked an intelligent ball back into Liam Schofield, the corner taker. Schofield kept his cool and delivered a perfect cross for John Cyrus to slot home.

The score remained at 1-0 until half time with Hardaker and his defence holding firm for Askern who rarely threatened Paul Day in the Emley goal.

Emley made their dominance count and doubled their lead on 49 minutes. Anthony Haigh delivered a free kick onto the head of Kenworthy who forced a save from Hardaker but Askern’s Matt Brown stabbed the ball into his own net as he attempted to clear the lines.

With the comfort of a 2 goal lead Emley began to test Askern with some more direct play. A firm drive by Haigh was well held by Hardaker and the keeper made it a trio of good saves following stops from a curling Jordan effort and a deflected Kenworthy strike soon after.

Hardaker failed to do anything about Emley’s third goal on 68 minutes however as Schofield scored directly from a corner. A rare sight particularly in still conditions with little or no wind behind it, Schofield’s corner evaded the both the keeper at full stretch and the covering defender on the far post curling just under the bar into the top corner.

Emley threw men up in numbers, with an eye on improving their goal difference – a factor which could play an important role in the final promotion push. Haigh had a couple of efforts saved and Jordan saw a good strike deflect wide. Cyrus and Josh Cooke also went close with headers from corners.

Askern enjoyed a decent spell with 15 minutes left on the clock as Emley got caught on the break, throwing men up in numbers. Day, however made his first meaningful save – an excellent reaction stop from Josh Taylor on the edge of the box. Substitute Tony Hattersley also went close for the visitors, flashing a shot across the face of the goal, then forcing another decent save from Day.

Schofield almost capped an excellent performance with a rasping drive from the edge of the box after good work by Brad Riley but Hardaker again made a good save.

Emley did finally manage a fourth goal with Haigh and Flynn combining as they have done so many times this season. Flynn sprung the offside trap to latch onto Haigh’s ball, drew the keeper before rounding him and side footing into the back of the net.

The result keeps Emley’s hopes of promotion on track but they will have an altogether different task on their hands when they travel to leaders Athersley next Saturday. Before that they have another huge test as they entertain Evo-Stik Premier side Stocksbridge PS in the Sheffield Cup Quarter Final.

Emley:
Day, Thornton, Schofield, Ingham, Cooke, Cyrus, Joseph, Jordan (Riley 70), Kenworthy (Roberts 84), Haigh, Maturine (Flynn 66).
Subs (not used): Leech, McIntosh.

Askern:
Hardaker, Thackrah, Austin, Cusworth (Hattersley 44), Brown, Hope, Costello (Morley 62), Bennett, Taylor (Taylor 88), Pye, Brown.
Sub (not used) Hart.

Man of the Match: Liam Schofield. Attendance 110.
Caution: Thackrah (Askern) 59.