Emley's county cup hopes are over for another year after the now customary defeat by Worksop Town in the 3rd round of the Sheffield and Hallamshire Senior Cup at a wet and misty Fantastic Media Welfare Ground.

It's the fourth season in a row that Emley have had to face the National League North outfit, but despite playing a severely weakened and makeshift team, Emley were far from disgraced against what was a strong Worksop side who were just too good and clinical as usual.

Torrential rain greeted the kick off and Emley won an early free kick but it sailed harmlessly over the bar, it took Worksop a few minutes to create their first chance but the header was put wide, Emley gave as good as they got against a far more experienced side and worked hard in the opening minutes, Nathan Stephenson, one of 5 of Emley's academy players fought hard to get a shot away but it was blocked.

Emley won a corner but it was overhit and Worksop cleared, then a fine piece of play by Harry Sheppeard saw him with a good read and carry, his ball in found Stephenson inside the area but the young striker couldn't get to it, Stephenson was enjoying a lively Emley debut and he will be kicking himself for 2 headers that he didn't quite get right.

Worksop duly took the lead just past the 20-minute mark, Bottomley was beaten as a shot flew past several defenders on it's way into the net with the Emley keeper totally unsighted, it was almost two for the Tigers but Devine got an intervention to deflect a shot over the bar via a post. They squandered another good chance a few moments later, another teasing ball in from a corner saw a free header sent wide.

Despite Emley's efforts, Worksop just had that clinical, experience edge, another chance went begging, Coban Bird did well to block and initial attempt and the second effort was then wide, but they made no mistake right on half time as former Emley loanee Lewis Whitham struck a well placed second past Bottomley.

H/T- Emley 0-2 Worksop Town.

The mist and fog had started rolling in and covering a good portion of the pitch, however, not as bad as 2 weeks ago when the game was abandoned at half time, Worksop wasted little time in making it 3-0 when Bottomley's initial parry fell straight to a white shirt who made no mistake from close in.

Emley continued to scrap as best they could but didn't really trouble Worksop keeper Render, the Tigers should have had a fourth but Emley managed to clear off their own line, and they were on the backfoot again as another shot flew wide. With the game just about gone, Emley made a double sub, Danny Devine on his debut and Toby Stennett were replaced by youngsters Jacob Jessop and Jack Meeres.

But Worksop remained on the front foot and another effort was sent wide, whilst a good cross was met by a firm header but that too went wide. More changes for Emley then as Coban Bird and Jacob Hanson gave way to Jak Mallinson and another academy debutant, Sonny Chambers, it was good for the young lads to get some first team minutes, but the game was over and in all fairness had been for a while.

Credit to Emley though who kept pushing for a consolation and had a great chance when 5th sub, Rinor Ejupi, found himself in space but the keeper did well and we had to settle for a corner which was cleared.

Then in added time, Worksop finally did add their fourth, again, the first effort was stopped but the Tigers were quickest to the second ball and hammered the final nail in the Emley coffin, something that is becoming too much of a coincidental habit in this competition, Emley were well beaten but certainly not disgraced and the experience of playing against established National League players will hopefully be a good thing long term for some of our academy lads, who all gave their all.

Until next year then.........

F/T- Emley 0-4 Worksop Town.

Attendance- 197

Emley- Bottomley, Sheppeard, Hardaker [c], Devine, Hanson, Porritt, Stennett, Clegg, Stephenson, Rodrigues, Bird;
Subs all used- Ejupi, Jessop, Meeres, Mallinson, Chambers.