Emley 1-1 Golcar Utd

Spoils were shared in the first Huddersfield derby as Emley and Golcar played out an entertaining 1-1 draw which could have gone either way at a damp Fantastic Media Welfare Ground on Tuesday.

Emley were on the front foot early on but didn’t trouble Golcar keeper Harry Stead, Ben Burnett, one of many ex Emley men in the Golcar side then blazed a shot wide in front of the Shed.

Irywah Gooden was looking to cause Golcar problems down their right and almost got on the end of a lovely ball into the area, but the shot was blocked and ricocheted for a goal kick.

Joe Clegg was next up in attack for the Pewits, but Stead was equal to his long-range effort.

Gradually though, the Weavers made their way into the game and started to cause Emley’s backline some problems, and Ash Flynn, no stranger to the Welfare Ground goals, fired a snapshot just over to Emley’s relief.

Emley then had a decent penalty shout turned down with the referee giving a corner instead.

Gooden then created some space and cut in from the left, but his shot sailed well wide of the goal, a minute later, Emley Keeper Dec Lambton was forced to save from Naidole, another former Emley striker, Naidole pushed another shot wide just moments later.

Emley then enjoyed a period of pressure on the Golcar backline, but 3 corners came to nothing with Dom Riordan putting a header over from the 3rd one.

As half time approached, it was the home side who piled the pressure on, Donae Lawrence fired over before a great run from Sam Pashley, beating 2 defenders before firing a lovely ball into the area with Emley fans wondering “who’s there?” as the ball eluded all the attackers.

It was to be the last of a first half which stopped and started somewhat, the second half would follow a similar pattern.

H/T Emley 0-0 Golcar.

As the rain lashed down for the second half, Emley, attacking the bulk of their support in the Richard Hirst stand, again started brightly, quick passing moves caused Golcars’ wide defenders a few problems, Jagger was sent tumbling for a free kick just outside the area, which was deflected for a corner, better was to come 2 minutes later.

Another rash challenge from a Golcar defender saw Emley receive a free kick some 25 yards from goal, Joe Jagger lined it up and whipped a sublime strike into the bottom right corner off the post to the delight of Emley’s vocal supporters behind that net.

It was just the reward Emley’s start to the half deserved, Jagger tried his luck again 5 minutes later, but Stead made the save.

Golcar then came on strong, Flynn again, in a dangerous position but Lambton saved before they found an equaliser just 5 minutes later, after a good punch from Lambton from a dangerous ball into the area fell nicely to Slater Barnes and the Golcar striker coolly lobbed it back over Lambton for a fine finish to the cheers of the visiting supporters.

Emley then had what appeared to be another stonewall penalty turned down as Donae Lawrence was sent sprawling in the area, the referee had a good think about it before turning it down, much to the disapproval of the Emley contingent.

The game then entered a sloppy period in which it seemed Golcar players were having a mini contest as to who could get booked next, rash challenge, silly fouls and dissent were all dealt with swiftly by the ref but still both teams kept trying for the next goal.

Emley had a couple of dangerous corners which were both cleared before a golden opportunity to win the game went begging, a super charge down the left by Charlie Smith who sent a beautiful ball into the area, unfortunately, Emley sub Conner Brunt couldn’t quite untie his feet quick enough to slot the ball home and shot wide.

Golcar then enjoyed probably their spell of the game in the last 10 minutes, Flynn shot wide, a free kick was saved by Lambton, and they caused plenty of problems for Emley’s back line, but experienced duo Dom Riordan and James Knowles kept them at bay.

Both sides then had good chances in the dying moments of the game, first, Flynn, again fired over before Gooden couldn’t get good purchase on a header from a great Jagger cross.

So the first derby game of the season ended all square and probably the right result in the end, the game, although scrappy and feisty at times was entertaining but nothing could separate the 2 Huddersfield sides, the return game at Golcar’s Skye direct stadium is scheduled for December and both sides will be hoping to take bragging rights for the season.

Emley are next in action on Friday 26th August when Avro visit in the FA Vase.

F/T Emley 1-1 Golcar

Attendance -330

Goals – Emley, Jagger (52), Golcar, Barnes (57)

EMLEY- Lambton, Pashley, Smith, Paylor, Knowles©, Riordan, Clegg, Metcalfe, Jagger, Gooden, Lawrence.
Subs used- Brunt, Sandhu, Unused- Claisse, Swinburn, Cadzow.

Moxon and Co. Man of the Match- James Knowles.