By Isaac Hall
Alex Metcalfe scored the only goal as Emley AFC set up a home tie against West Didsbury & Chorlton in the FA Vase third round.
The Pewits defeated Heaton Stannington 1-0 at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground on Saturday and will host the Manchester-based North West Counties League Premier Division side on Saturday December 2.
Emley have already beaten Sandbach United, Brigg Town and Guisborough Town as well as Heaton Stannington to reach the third round for the first time in 11 years.
More immediately Emley are back in league action on Tuesday (November 14) when a win at Frickley Athletic will put them back top of the NCEL Premier Division. The win on Saturday made it six straight wins and 12 matches unbeaten.
Against Stannington Emley dominated a goalless first half with the pace of Iyrwah Gooden and the aerial threat and physical presence of Ruben Jerome proving difficult for the visitors who were content with a rearguard action.
All that was missing for Emley was a more clinical finish in front of goal.
The breakthrough came in the 53rd minute when Ross Hardaker crossed from the left, Gooden flicked the ball forward and skipper Metcalfe stabbed home.
James Walshaw was introduced up front and when Gooden was cynically brought down, Walshaw took the free-kick which smashed off the wall and out for a corner.
The yellow cards began to stack up fast for the visitors, as frustration was becoming visible, and in the 76th minute, Gooden broke away down the left, only to be brought down again.
From this free kick, a Jerome header forced an excellent save from the keeper and the resultant corner saw an acrobatic effort from Charlie Barks go out of the ground.
Walshaw was set up by Jerome but couldn’t hit the target and Emley were happy to see out the game and clinch a place in the next round.
