Extra Time Heartbreak in the Sheff Cup

Steels captain Richard Haigh popped up in the final minute of extra time to head an unlikely winner for his side.

After a nervy opening spell Emley took the game to their higher level opponents and almost caused a famous upset against a side who play 3 leagues above them in the Evo Stik Premier.

Steels were stronger in the early exchanges of the first half using their superior physical strength to good effect with the centre half pairing of Haigh and Brett Lovell keen to get up into the Emley box for corners and set pieces.

Lovell won his side a penalty 12 minutes into the game after falling in the box from what the referee Malcolm Graham had ruled was a push by Josh Cooke. Cooke protested the decision vehemently and earned himself a yellow card in the process. To most in the ground the decision seemed a harsh one but Danny South put the kick away calmly enough to make it 1-0.

South almost had another minutes later with a well placed header from a corner but Paul Day was at full stretch to tip the ball away to safety.

Referee Graham incensed the Emley team further first as he failed to spot an elbow in the face of Liam Schofield by Will Senior, then in the other penalty area there were cries for handball as Haigh raised his arm to block an Aaron Joseph chip.

Emley grew into the game and by the halfway mark of the first half they were beginning to get a grip on proceedings. John Cyrus who had an outstanding game at centre half was the creator of their first meaningful chance, winning the ball deep in his own half before driving forward and delivering an excellent ball into the path of Brad Riley who held off his markers and hit a hard low drive that was well saved by Ben Scott.

Soon after Riley set Steven Kenworthy up with some determined play but the strikers close range lob was well judged by Scott. Scott read Emley’s play well and was quickly off his line to deny Kenworthy and Riley with their probing runs behind the defence.

Jordan Thewlis registered Steel’s only other chance of the half but his shot brought a routine save from day. Whilst at the other end of the field it was Schofield and Riley who were doing all running and pair combined well before Schofield drove across the face of goal.

Steels again had Scott to thank making a brilliant reaction save from a Cooke header which followed a Schofield through ball and Kenworthy flick.

Emley did finally make the breakthrough that their play deserved in the final minute of the half. Riley tore through the defence before feeding Schofield who hit an angled drive across Scott into the bottom corner of the net.

The second half was delayed as the referee pulled his hamstring leaving the pitch at half time. When a replacement was found the assistant Paul Mathewson took over in the middle. He endeared himself no better to the home crowd issuing a yellow card to Josh Ingham when it seemed that similar fouls and acts of dissent by the opposition went unpunished.

It was end to end stuff in the early stages of the second half; Ben Turner volleyed wide for the visitors whilst Anthony Haigh had a strike cleared off the line for Emley.

Scott made and excellent claim as Aaron Joseph flicked a ball over his head and ran through on towards goal. Steel’s immediately countered and Thewlis fired into the side netting after Day had narrowed his angle.

Day made his best save of the game when the ball dropped at the feet of Alex Callery from a corner keeping out a low hard drive brilliantly.

Emley battled hard Ingham, Joseph and Matt Thornton tireless chased every lost ball and more often than not won them back. They continued to inflict pressure on Steels but were outwitted by the strength and experience of their backline.

Neither side could find a way through and so the game went to extra time. Despite their lower stature Emley appeared to be the fitter of the two sides.

Early on in the extra 30 minutes Thewlis hit a low drive straight at Day but the visitors did little else to threaten. Emley meanwhile created the better chances, Brad Riley made a great run throught the defence but was stopped in his tracks by a solid challenge as he teed up a strike.

Thornton made a good burst down the right flank and forced a good save from Scott at his near post, Haigh got hold of the rebound and shot hard and low but his effort was cleared of the line by some last ditch defending.

Both sides were visibly tiring in the second half of extra time but Emley again continued to creat the better chances. Haigh rode two challenges before hitting a good low drive from 25 yards out but Scott was once again alert enough to save.

With 120 minutes on the clock it seemed that all Emley needed to do was to defend a corner but Haigh shed his marker before stooping low to head home from 6 yards out.

Emley were shell shocked but rallied and almost grabbed an injury time equaliser, piling everybody bar Day up the pitch they forced a corner. Roberts curled into the box hard and low, right into the path of Cyrus who crashed a great first time shot into the mix but Scott made another excellent save to keep the ball out and his defenders cleared their lines to ensure that victory was theirs.

This was a performance for Emley to be proud of and they must now take heart from it as they enter into the final run in for promotion. Their next test is perhaps their biggest of the season as they travel to league leaders Athersley Rec on Saturday. The Barnsley side are currently 10 points ahead of 5th placed Emley but Emley do have two games in hand on them in a tight 6 club battle for the 2 promotion places.

Emley: Day, Thornton, Leech, Ingham (McIntosh 88), Cyrus, Cooke, Joseph, Riley (Maturine 98) Kenworthy (Roberts 112), Haigh, Schofield. Sub (not used: Jordan)

Steels: Scott, Swirad, Argus, Haigh, Lovell, Callery, Bettney (Joynes 80), Senior, South, Thewlis (Ring 102), Turner. Subs (not used: Noubissie, Payne, Schofield).

Emley Man of the Match: John Cyrus. Att: 151.