Report: Maltby Main (Cup final)

The cup is won!

On a fantastic Saturday night at Doncaster Rovers’ Eco-Power stadium, Emley claimed the Sheffield and Hallamshire senior county cup for the first time since 1998 with a comprehensive 2-0 win over Maltby Main and not a penalty in sight!

Roared on by a big and noisy following, Richard Tracey’s men took a 2-0 half time lead and were never really in danger of throwing it away.

The first few minutes were cagey with both teams “feeling each other out”.

Maltby had a sight at goal after 5 minutes, but the shot didn’t trouble Emley keeper Dec Lambton, Iyrwah Gooden then saw a shot go wide for Emley on 10 minutes.

Emley started to grow into the game and put pressure on the Main defence, the Emley supporters were cheering on 19 minutes after a good move from left to right saw the ball put into the net by Gooden, but the celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.

But the next 10-15 was all Emley with the game more or less played in Maltby’s half, and it wasn’t long after that The Pewits really took a hold on the game and put one hand on the cup.

23 minutes were on the clock when another good move starting in midfield saw the ball moved out to the right after a bit of penalty box pinball, the ball was picked up by Paul Walker, who shifted the ball onto his left foot before curling a shot that beat everyone including the Maltby keeper and Emley were on their way.

Then, no sooner had the celebrations died down somewhat and Emley got a quickfire second that ultimately sealed the win, as Maltby tried desperately to clear their lines, a defensive error gave the ball straight to Iyrwah Gooden who took a moment before slotting past the stranded keeper, cue more celebrations and noise from the Emley fans.

Within a few minutes, there was a penalty appeal from Emley as Lawrence was sent tumbling in the area, but the appeals were waved away by referee Thomas, Gooden then fizzed a shot wide as Emley looked to end the contest before half time.

With a 2 goal cushion, Emley played out the rest of the first half in confident mood and deservedly took the applause from their fans as they came off for half time.

H/T -Maltby 0-2 Emley

Maltby needed a mini Sheffield Wednesday style comeback in the 2nd half, and they came out with a bit more intent, within a couple of minutes of the restart, Emley’s defence had to be on their guard to clear a dangerous looking attack.

An Emley attack ended with Joe Clegg heading wide from a left wing ball in.

Another chance for Main came and went, as Emley for once, failed to clear their lines Lambton was forced into a save and the rebound was put wide to Emley’s relief.

With the Emley fans still making all the noise in the stadium, they were almost cheering a third goal, with Kenny starting a move in midfield, Clegg and Walker combining, the ball fell to Gooden who teased the Maltby defence before smashing a lovely shot off the crossbar with the keeper soundly beaten.

Lambton then had to be on his guard as Maltby looked to reduce the deficit, but he pulled off a good, confident save to keep the against column at nil.

Donae Lawrence was replaced by Sam Pashley and Steve Smith was replaced by Callum Charlton as Emley looked to make the game and the cup safe.

With a few minutes remaining, Emley had a few corners and one of them saw Rikki Paylor shot wide from 12 yards out.

There was another chance as Gooden and Charlton combined with pace from a counter attack, but the ball across the box was slightly overhit and the chance went.

Gooden, who was superb all night, had another chance to settle the tie, but after good work, his shot went wide.

Maltby tried everything in the last few minutes to get something out of the game, but this night was to be Emley’s night, and they defended stoically for the last few minutes to see the game out.

The only blip on the night was a late red card for Joe Kenny for dissent, but with the fans now right behind them, Emley played the game out and sealed a first cup win since Parkgate were beaten 3-0 at Hillsborough by Ronnie Glavin’s exciting side, exalted company indeed for Richard Tracey and his staff and players and fully deserved.

The full time whistle sounded after 5 minutes of added time and the jubilant yellow shirted Pewits celebrated with their supporters who had played a massive part of the night and made up most of the crowd at the Eco-Power stadium.

Emley’s fans applauded the runners up receiving their medals and then cheered wildly as James Knowles lifted the 5th oldest knockout cup in the world and ended a 25 year wait!

F/T- Maltby 0-2 Emley
Attendance- 640

EMLEY- Lambton, Smith, Hardaker, Metcalfe, Knowles ©, Paylor, Clegg, Kenny, Gooden, Walker, Lawrence; Subs used- Pashley, Charlton; Unused- Cassius-Gill, Dry, Price.

GOALS- Walker (’23), Gooden (’26).

Moxon and Co. Man of the Match- Joe Clegg.