Words: Martin Eastwood Image: Mark Parsons
Emley AFC’s FA Cup journey continues after Donae Lawrence earned his side a replay on home soil.
A battling performance on a difficult pitch saw the Pewits return from Widnes FC with a 1-1 draw in the first qualifying round.
The replay against their higher league opponents will be at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground on Tuesday (September 5) at 7.45pm.
Emley were more than a match for their Northern Premier League opponents and will possibly feel they could have secured their place in the 2nd qualifying round without the need for a replay but a replay is just reward.
It was a physical game on an unpredictable pitch and while Iyrwah Gooden had a couple of sights at goal the first half was goalless.
Emley broke the deadlock just two minutes after the restart when Gooden teased the Widnes defence before playing a sublime ball into the path of Lawrence who curled a beautiful low shot into the bottom corner.
The goal sparked the home side into action, however, and Dec Lambton’s goal came under pressure. Widnes equalised in the 55th minute when a cross from Jay Roberts was headed beyond Lambton by Matt Van Wyk.
The rest of the game became a sheer battle of wills and James Walshaw forced keeper Cameron Terry into a good save while Jack McGowan snatched at a chance before Lambton denied Van Wyk.
Emley managed to see out the remaining six minutes of added time to take the tie back to Yorkshire and took the applause of their sizeable travelling support. Lawrence earned the Man of the Match Award.
