Emley exited the Sheffield and Hallamshire Senior Cup at the third round stage following a 2-0 defeat by National League North outfit Worksop Town.

Unbelievably, it was the third season in a row in which Emley have come up against the strongest side in the competition, Worksop are currently two levels above Emley and ultimately, that was the difference on the night but Emley can take heart from a good performance and could, and probably should have a couple of goals themselves.

It was a foul night that greeted the two teams in Nottinghamshire, but Emley soon warmed their fans up with a good start to the contest, twice, the Town keeper Taylor had to pull off cracking saves, first, to deny Clegg whose superb header was pushed onto the bar and then a low shot from Christie-Crainie as Emley started the brightest.

But Worksop opened the scoring with their first meaningful attack when a ball in from their left was flashed home by Starcenko, Emley continued to pose problems for their hosts, both Christie-Crainey and Carlos Rodrigues on the flanks were causing problems however, Emley couldn't capitalise and possibly change the game, Christie-Crainey was inches away from an equaliser but his shot from a darting run from Clegg flew over the bar to the dismay of the travelling faithful.

C.Rodrigues was then involved in a chance, his pace and power down the right caused Worksop problems and his shot was deflected for a corner but was dealt with, and then Worksop hit Emley with a proper sucker punch ten minutes before the break.

Emley won the ball in midfield but then put themselves into trouble by immediately trying to pass it to the back, the ball fell into the path of Starcenko who beat the defence and his deflected shot then beat Lambton, it was a goal Emley could have easily avoided but probably showed the difference that two levels can make as Emley showed in their previous two rounds.

Despite that, Emley worked hard and Worksop didn't really trouble Lambton again and there was a sense of optimism amongst the Emley supporters despite being two goals down.

H/T- Worksop Town 2-0 Emley.

The Pewits started the second half well too and earned an early free kick which was played into the back post but too deep and Town keeper Taylor was able to pinch off the top of Charlie Barks' head, and chances in the second period were at a premium.

Lambton had to be alert to react to a goalbound effort on the hour and did well to punch clear from under his bar, and then another effort flew over the bar, this time from a defence effort from Sheppeard as Emley desperately held off conceding a third.

Last time Emley visited Sandy Lane, we conceded ten! six of those coming in the second half, we made sure that wasn't going to be repeated with some dogged, sometimes abrasive defending, Joe Stacey was booked for a late challenge on the Tigers winger but to Emley's credit, they kept pushing on and pushing Worksop back and created a couple of chances to try and get a goal back.

Urged on by their vocal fans behind the goal, first, Belchior Rodrigues saw a shot deflected into the keepers arms and then Christie-Crainie with a tremendous chance, a great turn took him past Worksop defenders who knew any touch would send him down and a possible penalty, but once it opened up, the young Sheffield United man blasted his shot into the side netting with many Emley fans celebrating as the net rippled.

Changes were made by Emley as they looked to get something out of the game, Sorhaindo gave way to Gordon and Lindley came on for Stacey before Worksop fired another shot over the bar.

Another good jinking run from Carlos Rodrigues saw an Emley corner, but the home defence stood tall and cleared, the ex Sheffield Wednesday man Rodrigues had earned his applause from the away fans when he was replaced by Mampala with minutes remaining, Ceesay and Mampala both had efforts late on but Emley couldn't find a way past Taylor and his colleagues and for the third time in as many seasons, exited the county cup to Worksop.

No game this weekend and so our next scheduled game is a week on Saturday with another trip to the North East, this time, to Newton Aycliffe. but Emley were by no means disgraced at Sandy Lane this time and earned the applause of their fans.

F/T- Worksop Town 2-0 Emley.

Attendance-
Emley- Lambton, Sheppeard, Stacey, Clegg, Barks, Hardaker [C], C.Rodrgigues, B.Rodrigues, Sorhaindo, Ceesay, Christie-Crainey:
Subs used- Gordon, Lindley, Mampala;
Unused- Dawson.

WM Sykes Man of the Match- Belchior Rodrigues