Emley’s unbeaten run continued as they progressed into the FA Vase 2nd round with a hard fought 3-1 win at Frickley Athletic.

In a game reminiscent of many this season, Emley were dominant but couldn’t find a killer edge until late on, helped by a brilliant piece of goalkeeping by Declan Lambton, who has made himself a hero with the Emley fans due to his penalty shoot out heroics in the Vase.

In a bright, autumnal afternoon in South Elmsall, Emley were the first to pose a serious threat on goal, James Walshaw’s shot from a corner was saved by Frickley keeper Preston.

However, it was only short-lived relief for Frickley as within a minute of that, another corner was only partially cleared by the home defence and Iyrwah Gooden rifled a shot goalwards, the ball ended up in the back of the net thanks to a final touch from James Walshaw who bagged his first Emley goal.

Emley continued to pile on the pressure, another corner and a speculative James Knowles overheard kick went over, Emley then thought they had a second goal within the first 15 minutes of the game, Iyrwah Gooden latched onto a ball into the area to fire home, the final ball appeared to come off a Frickley player, but the far side linesman ruled offside to the dismay of Emley players and fans.

Still, it was all Emley, Lambton was almost a spectator due the strength of the Pewits’ defence, just a couple of routine catches.
After another corner was partially cleared, the ball was recycled for Sam Pashley to head straight at the keeper.

Walshaw then had 2 golden opportunities to put the game beyond Frickley before half time, a half chance opened up for him, but his shot was wide, the same outcome a couple of minutes later, after creating space with a great bit of skill, he was unable to find the finish to match.

With half time approaching and Emley dominant it was almost inevitable that Frickley would make them pay for not putting their chances away, Alhassane Keita picked up possession 30 yards out, cut inside and slammed a brilliant curling shot beyond Lambton, a cracking goal but a classic ‘against the run of play’ strike.

Emley then had a free kick go wide just before the break.

H/T Frickley 1-1 Emley.

Emley couldn’t have asked for a better start to the 2nd half, before the fans had taken up their spots, James Walshaw latched on to a ball into the area and slammed past Preston to restore the Pewits’ lead.

The second half became quite fractious and prickly at times although Emley still seemingly had the upper hand.

They probably should have made it 3-1 on 50 minutes but Sam Pashley’s thumping header somehow stayed out and was cleared off the line, Gooden that had a chance after another set piece wasn’t cleared but he shot wide.

The prickliness continued when Craig Nelthorpe was involved in an incident, after going for a ball with Kofi Appiah, the Emley man appeared to be rugby tackled, he took exception and was booked after a melee and was clearly upset by it as the Frickley man got away with a tackle that would have looked good in the RL world cup highlights.

Not long after, Nelthorpe who had played well was replaced by Lawrence who brought some long, Fresh legs to proceedings.

It wasn’t long before the cards were out again by the referee, this time it was a 2nd yellow and a red for Frickley’s Binns for dragging a flying Gooden down, Gooden was tormenting the defence all day and it was probably the easiest way of stopping him.

It settled back down to Emley dominating and creating chances, James Knowles was denied by another goal line clearance and then Walshaw was unlucky with a close ranger header that went off the bar and out for a goal kick.

Frickley then hit Emley against the run of play for a second time, a quick break downfield left the defence scattered and Lambton was adjudged to have brought Czubik down in the area, with the crowd holding it’s breath, Lambton pulled off a fantastic save down to his right, the rebound was fired wide and Emley cheered in relief.

Emley now looked to finally close the game out, Donae Lawrence had a shot go wide, but Emley, with Joe Kenny and Alex Metcalfe busy again in centre midfield, they managed to control the remaining 10 minutes as time ticked down.

And then with the game deep into 6 minutes of added time, Emley hit Frickley with a 3rd and beautiful goal, after a Frickley attack broke down, Paul Walker took possession in his own half and found Ross Hardaker bombing forward down the left, Hardaker spotted a runner into the box and played a perfectly placed cross for Donae Lawrence to stab home without breaking stride to the delight of the Emley fans down that end.

Finally, Emley had put the game to bed and got the win the performance deserved.

The win stretches the unbeaten run to 17 games now and booked Emley’s place in Monday’s 2nd round draw.

We are back in cup action again on Tuesday when we host Oughtibridge in the Sheffield Senior cup.

F/T Frickley 1-3 Emley

Attendance- 256

EMLEY- Lambton, Pashley, Hardaker, Metcalfe, Knowles, Heaton, Nelthorpe, Kenny, Walshaw, Gooden, Walker
Subs used- Lawrence; Unused- Clegg, Paylor, Kelly, B.Dawson, D.Dawson, McGrath.

Goals- Walshaw (‘8,’46) Lawrence (’90)

Moxon and Co. Man of the Match- Joe Kenny