Emley 2-1 Squires Gate

Emley claimed another higher league cup scalp this season, this time knocking NWCFL Premier Division side Squires Gate out of the Macron League cup after a hard fought, but ultimately well deserved 2-1 victory at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground.
Burscough, also from the NWCFL Premier were dispatched in the FA Vase last month as Emley look to earn the right to join the Premier Division next year, they have now defeated two Blackpool based clubs in cup competitions in less than a month, following a 4-0 win over AFC Blackpool in the PlayerMatch.com cup a couple of weeks ago.
In what was a hard fought, at times, bruising battle, Emley had just too much for their Lancastrian opponents, who certainly played their part in the game, and it was Gate, who started the brightest, putting Emley on the back front straight away, within a minute, a great ball split the Emley defence but the ball across goal went harmlessly behind, Squires Gate continued to attack, but firm defending and goalkeeping kept it scoreless.
There was a break in play for an injury to Squires Gate's Mullen, who had to be taken off on a stretcher, although, it doesn't appear as serious as first thought.
But the visitors were soon back on the attack as Emley struggled to get a foothold, another couple of whipped crosses and blocked shots again kept the score at 0-0.
Emley, aided by Rob Bordman slowly started to find their feet, Alex Metcalfe tested the keeper but he was equal to it, then a great run from Declan Dawson down the right couldn't find an Emley player in space.
Bordman was coming into the game strongly, literally, bumping off Gate defenders and even his own players at times, but a deft little passage of interplay with Callum Charlton saw Bordman's shot deflected for a corner.
Emley were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area at the Warburton end as half time approached and Bordman fancied it, strode up and struck it firmly, so firmly that it's believed to have ended up somewhere on the M1 Southbound!, he would have the last laugh later on however.....
H/T 0-0
Despite no goals, it was an even, close half, but with no real clear cut chances, both defences were on top, however, Emley looked to get on the front foot early in this half, but it was the visitors who, again, fired the early warning shot, George Clarkes legs prevented them scoring within a minute of the restart.
Play swung, one way then the other as both teams looked to attack, Squires Gate playing out from the back, Emley more, direct, trying to get Bordman one on one with their defenders and with support from the flanks and through the middle.
And on 50 minutes it worked, as the Pewits took the lead, good work in midfield, the ball worked into the area, Squires Gate failed to clear and Bordman took advantage, pulling the ball out from under a mess of feet and smacking a lovely shot into the bottom corner that left Gate keeper Gidley stretching to no avail.
But the visitors came straight back, a neat shot on the half volley goes just over, then another shot is deflected for a corner by a desperate Emley boot.
Emley were on the back foot and looking for a way out of their own half as the team from Blackpool looked for an equaliser, Emley held out and the game became a midfield battle for a few minutes.
The visitors then got the equaliser that, in truth, they deserved, a free kick was conceded on the edge of the box and Boyd stepped up to show Bordman how to do it, curling a lovely shot up and over the wall into the net, all square at 1-1.
Bordman can hit a football, as his first goal showed, but he can also hit free kicks too, only 2 minutes after Boyd hit the net for the visitors, Bordman went one better and stepped up 20 yards out and absolutely smashed one into the top corner at the Shed end, the keeper again, was grasping at air and Emley were back in front and the vast majority of the 125 crowd were in raptures.
3 very good goals, and it was almost 4, when just a few minutes later, Emley almost sealed the game with a great break, a neat lay off from Bordman into midfield and a great pass saw Charlton burst through, with Emley players flooding forward, Charlton burst into the box and fired a shot well over when it seemed he had players lining up to stroke it home.
There were other half chances for Emley to wrap the tie up but they managed to hold out against a determined Squires Gate, who had a couple of late corners to make the Emley faithful nervous.
But the Pewits held firm and now progress into the second round, but back to league action next week, when the visitors to the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground are once again from Blackpool... this time AFC Blackpool in the league next Saturday (3.00pm)
F/T 2-1
EMLEY- Clarke, Dawson, Charlton, Price(C), Riordan, Coker, Metcalfe, Glavin, Bordman, Rose, Donovan; Subs used- Gibson, East, Gill; Unused- Barton
Goals- Bordman (50, 79)
Attendance- 125
Hepworth Group Man of the Match- Rob Bordman