Emley crashed out of the FA Trophy at the first attempt after a disappointing 5-0 defeat at Bootle in the 3rd qualifying round.

Despite the result, Emley had their chances and on another day could have goals themselves, but the problems seem to be at the other end of the field, for the third weekend in a row, Emley have conceded 4 or more goals that has seen us dumped out of both the FA Cup and FA Trophy.

The game was pretty even for the first 20 minutes, Bootle enjoying the early spell, earning a corner, then seeing Emley block a shot from the follow up before Bottomley was called into action to make his first, fairly regular save. Emley came to life on 10 minutes, Ejupi, Stacey and De Girolamo combining well before Stacey, then Gabriel Johnson saw shots blocked.

With the game a quarter of the way in, Emley lost their way slightly and gave the advantage to Bootle, despite an offside appeal, Hodkinson's shot beat the onrushing Bottomley for the lead. Emley looked to hit back immediately, a short corner after Johnson bludgeoned his way through found its way to Haswell but he slipped as he was taking the shot and the chance was gone.

And 2 minutes later, Emley's task became harder when Bootle struck again, a throw in from their left was headed in at the near post by Hughes, Emley yet again caught out by a near post header, but we kept on pushing and looking for something themselves, good work by Stacey created problems but we couldn't finish off the move.

There was almost a third for Bootle as they put immense pressure on the Emley defence, a header wide, a shot that flew wide and then another chance went begging as Bottomley again came off his line to repel another attack, Emley, despite being second best weren't out of it and showed some good attacking prowess themselves.

A good burst down the right by Ejupi saw the ball cleared but as he picked it up again he was clattered 20 yards out, the free kick from Lindley was hammered away by a home defender, then, Emley's best chance almost led to a fine goal, a good ball out to the left found Coban Bird who whipped in a lovely ball from the byline and found De Girolamo with a lovely cushioned volley but it hit the post and bounced straight back into the beaten keepers hands, luckily for the hosts.

H/T- Bootle 2-0 Emley.

Had that attempt gone in right before half time, it could have been a much different half, as it was, Bootle had most of the luck, but also composure in the penalty area, although Emley started well and saw a cross caught by the keeper just before Sheppeard could get there, Bootle then did get their third which probably killed off the contest a minute later, and yet again, Emley were undone by a set piece header as a free kick was headed home by Fenton.

Alex Kiwomya had replaced De Girolamo at half time and he gave Emley a bit of forward impetus and caused Bootle a few problems, he got on the end of a nice ball again from Bird, flying down the left but the keeper made a brilliant save with most of his body parts, the corner then saw a glancing header go wide, Bird again was involved in Emley's next move, but he couldn't keep a rasping shot under the bar.

Emley were enjoying their best spell of the game so far and were desperately unlucky not to find the net, another good run by Kiwomya saw him lay off to Johnson but just as he was about to pull the trigger, a Bootle boot got a touch on the ball,a second sub for Emley saw Stacey replaced by Edy Maieco for his Emley debut.

After Bootle wasted another opportunity by slicing a shot wide, Emley again pushed forward in attack, Haswell's free kick was deflected for a corner and then Johnson couldn't get enough power and pace on a shot which the keeper claimed, another Emley attack saw a great ball in from the right by Kiwomya but the ball then bounced awkwardly on Bootle's plastic pitch, knee high and away as Johnson was about to hit it.

Maieco thought he had fashioned a chance for a debut goal but his shot hit the side netting as the offside flag was raised, Bootle then added a fourth as Emley were caught out defensively again, a break down their left saw Hodkinson chip the ball over Bottomley as Hardaker replaced Barks with the Pewits knowing the game was well and truly up, Bootle then added a fifth to make it even more miserable for Emley and their travelling fans, another header finding the net.

Emley need to pick themselves up now and look to pick up league ppints, starting on Tuesday when Workington visit the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground.

F/T- Bootle 5-0 Emley.

Attendance- 439

Emley- Bottomley, Sheppeard, Bird, Lindley, Hanson, Barks, Ejupi, Haswell, De Girolamo, Johnson, Stacey;
Subs used- Kiwomya, Maieco, Hardaker;
Unused- Murray, Cowgill.

WM Sykes Man of the Match- Coban Bird.