Dan Naidole was in red hot form on a scorching day as he inspired a Golcar United fight back in a pre-season ‘derby’ clash against Emley AFC.
Naidole, one of several former Emley players in the Golcar line-up, scored the equaliser as the home side came back from a goal down to claim a 2-1 victory at the Skye Direct Stadium.
Emley, without half-a-dozen first team regulars, went ahead through Sam Pashley before Naidole levelled before half-time.
Golcar controlled the game and had a grip on midfield and got the deserved winner in the second half when Adrian Igielski fired home.
READ MORE: Follow both Golcar United and Emley AFC on Huddersfield Hub.
From the start Naidole was a constant menace for the Emley defence and an early shot went wide as both teams looked to gain the initiative.
Emley came back and Matty Sykes tested the Golcar keeper but he was equal to it, Emley saw another shot fail to trouble the United stopper moments later.
Naidole had another good chance a couple of minutes later but he headed over from close range, then former Emley record breaking scorer Ashley Flynn thought he’d given Golcar the lead, but he was alleged to have used his hand to deflect a clearance from Sam Kelly in to the Emley net, to the relief of the Emley supporters among the crowd.
Golcar found a purple patch and were knocking it around well, stretching Emley’s defence. It was former Emley defender Dan Stocker who found himself at the far post to head a cross goal bound, but Kelly in the Emley goals saved.
Emley held firm though and then managed to hit Golcar on the counter to take the lead, Alhassane Keita, a constant thorn in Golcar’s side, did well, holding the ball up. It was moved in field, and a shot by Sykes was pushed out by the keeper, but only to the feet of Pashley, who buried it without hesitation.
READ MORE: Golcar United and Emley AFC – a ‘friendly rivalry’
Golcar were back on the attack immediately and looked for all the world like they would equalise but, after the ball was cut back, it was blazed over the bar by Jordan Townend, another ex-Emley stalwart.
Emley were finding it tough against a strong Golcar midfield, who looked to get their wingers into space every time. After good work on the left, Naidole found himself tight to a defender, but his neat turn and shot went inches wide.
Emley countered with some fine teamwork through midfield, the ball finally went out wide on the right where it found Keita who fired a good looking shot straight at Bradshaw in what was Emley’s best chance for a while.
Naidole was lively up front and causing problems, he had a couple of shots fly over within a minute of each other, before finally bagging the goal that all his hard work deserved. Emley gave away the ball away just outside their area and within seconds the former Emley favourite was meeting a well-placed cross with a good header that beat Kelly.
Emley pushed for another goal right on half time, but the final ball was lacking after Sykes’ good run failed to find a teammate.
The second half saw Emley start well and on the front foot, forcing a free kick in a dangerous position just outside the area. A nice lofted ball in just evaded both Pashley and Morris as they looked to make contact.
Keita was working the channels well, but Golcar’s defence, marshalled well by ex Huddersfield Town man Joe Skarz stood firm and dealt with most of the Pewits’ attacks.
READ MORE: Dan Naidole tells us his story of his journey through semi-pro football.
Naidole and Flynn were looking lively against their former club, but their shots were mostly off target, Naidole came closest with another good shot that just went wide.
Emley had another free kick in another great position just outside the area, Alex Metcalfe looked confident, but his effort was scuffed and the chance was gone.
Ash Flynn, looking to emulate Naidole with a goal against his former club, sent a free kick over the crossbar before another Golcar effort flew into the gardens behind Sam Kelly’s goals.
Keita had been quiet for a while for Emley, but he came back to life with a good five-minute spell in which he was unlucky not to register a goal. First he turned the defence and fired in a low shot which was well saved, then a few minutes later he fizzed a shot which shaved the crossbar.
Golcar wouldn’t let Emley off the hook, however, as they went upfield and scored a really good second goal, that ultimately proved to be the winner.
A good break out of defence, a ball played to feet was controlled well and the step and shot by Igielski was buried inside the left hand post to dent Emley’s hopes.
Emley pushed for an equaliser but it wasn’t to be as Golcar held out for a win they deserved.
Here are a selection of images from Huddersfield Hub photographer SEAN DOYLE.
