Emley's hopes of an FA Cup run are over for another year after a comprehensive 4-0 defeat by Spennymoor at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground.

It was a second consecutive 0-4 defeat for Emley and the third defeat by the same margin in 3 of the last 5 matches albeit against a team who are a division above Emley in the National League North, there was some hope amongst Emley fans that a cup upset could be on the cards as Spennymoor sit bottom of their league, however, once again, the reality of playing at this higher level hit home again.

Spennymoor, in all truth, like Bury last week were another level above the Pewits, they were faster and stronger, and had the knowhow and experience having played at this higher level for a decade now, Emley struggled to really trouble the men from the north east who dominated from start to finish.

Despite Emley earning a 2nd minute corner which failed to trouble the defence, the Moors then pushed their attack button and had the Pewits on the back foot, an early shot was blasted over and then another shot, handed to them by a poor pass deep inside our own half crept just inches wide, another attack saw a curling cross also dip wide as Emley struggled to contain the visitors.

A brief respite on 15 minutes as Emley, attacking the Warburton End saw Gabby Johnson scrap for and win a header but the keeper came out and claimed the loose ball before the Emley striker, another good chance from Spennymoor saw Bottomley make a crucial save, and then the Emley keeper was relieved to see the rebound put wide.

Spennymoor were prepared to shoot at will, and this they did plenty of times, luckily for Emley though the next shot flew over the shed roof and Emley then also had a good chance, or they thought they had, a good ball in found Johnson and his header was turned away by a good save, however, the offside flag had already gone up.

Spennymoor then went up the other end and got themselves one up, a long throw from their right wasn't dealt with by Emley and Young managed to flick home past Bottomley, they continued to attack and Bottomley raced off his line to collect a dangerous through ball before the Moor man could get to it, he was called into action again just 2 minutes later to make a decent save.

Emley were really struggling to contain their opponents, and struggled to build any sort of pressure or cohesion themselves, they were torn open again and eventually found themselves facing a 2-on-1 but somehow the visitors wasted the chance and Bottomley was able to make a save.

Emley's only effort of note in the first half was a shot from Haswell that went wide after a good ball in from the left, Emley were still in it at half time but would need a massive improvement.

H/T- Emley 0-1 Spennymoor

Emley prefer shooting towards the shed in the second half, and usually they make a bright start, this was true here, only a couple of minutes had gone when Johnson fought his way into the area but the bounce of the ball and the number of defenders beat him, A cross-shot free kick from the visitors then sailed wide.

Emley pushed forward with Stacey on the left looking to cause problems, he beat his man and put a dangerous ball across the goal but no one in a sky blue shirt gambled and Spennymoor were able to come away with it, Emley's task was made even harder in the 56th minute as we conceded again, Young doubling his tally, stabbing home after Emley were caught out, Bottomley then prevented a third with another decent save.

Gabby Johnson worked his socks off for Emley but with little reward, his refusal to give up a lost cause earned a corner, it wasn't totally cleared and after a mini scramble, Haswell again put the shot wide, Emley made changes to try and get a way back into the contest, Ejupi and Rodrigues replaced Kiwomya and Stacey right before another shot from the visitors went wide.

Despite huffing and puffing, Emley didn't have the creativity or pace or power to really get their visitors on the back foot, but Rodrigues gave them a decent option and on 78 minutes, Carlos beat his man and drove into the area and was sent crashing by a Spennymoor defender who had arms and hands all over him from behind, Emley were convinced it was a penalty, but the referee, who had frustrated Emley all afternoon wasn't interested, in the aftermath, Emley manager Richard Tracey was booked for disagreeing strongly.

There was a feeling that had the penalty been given, it would have put the cat among the proverbial pigeons, but as it was, it seemed to deflate Emley, despite the efforts of Johnson battling the Moors defence, his graft and persistence didn't get rewarded as he couldn't create any shooting opportunity.

With the game entering three minutes of added time and with Emley replacing Haswell with Murray and putting big Charlie Barks up front, Spennymoor hit them with two sucker blows within a minute to finish the contest off, Emley were all at sea for both goals which were disappointing ways to concede, Emley were well beaten again as life in step 3 gets harder for everyone.

A Sheffield and Hallamshire cup tie is up next for Emley against Brodsworth on Tuesday before we head to Merseyside to face Bootle in the FA Trophy next Saturday, but the FA Cup dream is over for another season.

F/T- Emley 0-0 Spennymoor

Attendance- 424

Emley- Bottomley, Sheppeard, Bird, Lindley, Cowgill [c], Barks, Kiwomya, Haswell, De Girolamo, Johnson, Stacey;
Subs used- Ejupi, Rodrigues, Murray;
Unused- Hardaker

WM Sykes Man of the Match- Coban Bird.