Emley saw off the worthy challenge of Barnsley's U21's to book their place in the semi final of the Sheffield and Hallamshire senior cup with a hard won 3-2 victory on a cold night at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground.

The game was a very slow burner but warmed up in the second half to cheer up the Emley faithful who probably wish Emley could play both halves attacking the shed!

There was very little happening in the first 15 minutes both sides cancelling each other out, neither side managing to trouble the opposition keeper, that is until Barnsley took the lead with a well worked goal, a quick break down their right saw the ball played in to the area and a neat finish beat Lambton.

Barnsley enjoyed the better of the opening quarter, playing some quick passing and closing down and harrying Emley whenever we had the ball, some strong defending prevented them scoring a second as Emley struggled to get into the game.

But, gradually, Emley showed a bit of promise, a free kick from wide right from Hardaker was cleared and we couldn't recycle the ball back into any dangerous position.

Dec Lambton pulled off some fine saves last week to help earn a league point and he made another good save just past the half hour mark from a stinging low shot, just a minute later, Barnsley were up in the Emley area again, following a Parkin corner, they broke in numbers and quickly, but thankfully, Ross Hardaker was wily enough to prevent another goal with a timely clearance.

With half time approaching, Emley conjured up the best chance of the game, from a left wing free kick by Parkin, Rodrigues got on the end of it and sent a header crashing off the bar and over, the Emley forward took a painful shot to the ribs and received treatment, Emley claims that it was after the ball had gone fell on the deaf ears of Premier League ref Craig Pawson.

H/T- Emley 0-1 Barnsley U21

Emley looked like a different side at the start of the second half, they had more energy, vigour and looked to rattle the young tykes, and within two minutes of the restart, it was level again as Emley hit back, a corner from the left was headed in superbly by Charlie Barks leaving the keeper no chance.

Emley were on the front foot and looking to be more of an attacking threat but Barnsley's boys stood firm and defended well, Mo Qasim worked the keeper who could only parry out for another corner, but the ball was eventually cleared with Adam Porritt just missing out on prodding home.

But the tie swung again just a couple of minutes later as Barnsley found another bit of quality, following a quick attack, the ball was dispatched well down at the Warburton end to restore their lead.

Time for changes for Emley, Sorhaindo and Berchil replaced Curtis and Rodrigues, and both were involved straight away, Berchil, as usual, causing problems for defenders on the left and Sorhaindo putting himself about and giving the defenders something to think about, and those thoughts turned into a nightmare just a minute later as another Emley corner was dispatched with a brutal header from Laurence Sorhaindo, crashing the ball past defenders and keeper.

All square again and game on, two minutes later and a good ball in from Parkin's free kick- inevitably coming after Amir Berchil was scythed down and his tormentor was shown yellow- but Berchil didn't get enough on a header and could only glance it wide.

The game was in the balance now, Barnsley still looking dangerous on their quick attacks but Emley's experience at the back with Porritt and Hardaker dealt with them.

The game was turned on its head on 73 minutes when Emley found what would ultimately be the winning goal, and what a cracker it was too!

Kenny did superbly well in midfield, breaking up a Barnsley attack before sending Amir Berchil through, Emley's top scorer out paced the defence before coolly slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

Jack Mason made his 5th Emley appearance, coming on for Mo Qasim on 75 minutes as we looked to put the tie to bed.

Emley had a turned a deficit into a lead in the space of 8 minutes and were heading into the semi final of the county cup for the second time in three seasons, it could have been four 10 minutes later but Berchil's beautifully angled shot crashed off the outside of the post.

However, Emley hearts were in their mouths in added time when a back pass was overhit and Lambton had to scramble back, luckily for the Pewits, the ball sailed wide and the corner was eventually cleared.

There was just time for Charlie Barks to head a free kick over the bar before the ref brought proceedings to a close, Emley eventually saw off a tenacious challenge from Barnsley's youngsters who certainly gave a good showing which was appreciated by the 274 crowd.

Semi final place booked, we now look forward to the challenge of James Walshaw and his Ossett United team in the derby on Saturday when three more league points are up for grabs.

F/T- Emley 3-2 Barnsley U21

Attendance- 274

Emley- Lambton, Sheppeard, Hardaker, Kenny, Barks, Porritt, Parkin[c], Dawson, Qasim, Rodrigues, Curtis;
Subs used- Sorhaindo, Berchil, Mason;
Unused- Sankoh-Fernandez

Goals- Barks (47') Sorhaindo (65') Berchil (73')

WM Sykes Man of the Match- Joe Kenny