Words: Martin Eastwood – Pictures: Sean Doyle
Slater Barnes ensured a point for Golcar United with his first goal for the club in an entertaining 1-1 draw against local rivals Emley AFC at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground on Tuesday night.
Former Huddersfield Amateurs striker Barnes cancelled out an opening goal from in-form Joe Jagger, who bagged a hat-trick last weekend.
The first derby of the season between the two Huddersfield clubs was a closely-fought contest played in front of 330 fans on a night the rains finally came. Ironically, Tuesday was the day a drought was officially declared in Yorkshire.
Emley boss Richard Tracey said: “We’ll settle for a point as towards the end either team could have nicked it. I thought in the first half we controlled the game but had no quality in the final third.
“The second half seemed more open and it’s disappointing that we could have gone 2-0 up, miss our chance and within a minute it’s 1-1. We absolutely could have won it but we could have lost it too.
“It’s a better start to this season than last year. We’ve great competition for places and four points from a tough start is something we’ll take.”
The Pewits started the game well with chances for Iyrwah Gooden and Joe Clegg but Golcar keeper Harry Stead was equal to both.
The Weavers made their way into the game gradually and started to cause Emley’s backline some problems.
Golcar striker Ash Flynn is no stranger to the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground crowd having spent a number of years at the club earlier in his career. He had a chance but fired a snap shot just over the bar.
It was goalless in the first half but the deadlock was broken after 52 minutes when a Golcar defender made a rash tackle 25 yards out.
Jagger stepped up to take the free-kick and his brilliant whipped-in effort beat Stead and went in off the inside of the post.
Emley could have doubled the lead shortly after but Stead pulled off a good stop to deny Jagger.
Golcar then came on strong to try and find the leveller and Emley keeper Declan Lambton saved from Flynn.
The visitors continued to press and found an equaliser in the 57th minute. Lambton made a good punch from a dangerous cross into the area, however the ball fell nicely for Barnes to expertly lob over the stricken keeper to make it 1-1.
The Pewits then had what appeared to be a stonewall penalty turned down as Donae Lawrence was sent sprawling in the box. The referee had a good think about it before turning it down, much to the disapproval of the Emley contingent.
Either side could have won it late on but Flynn again fired over for Golcar before Gooden couldn’t get good purchase on a header from a great Jagger cross so the points were shared.
Golcar are next in action against Hallam FC at the Skye Direct Stadium on Saturday August 20 (3.00) while Emley don’t play this weekend. They host Avro in the FA Vase on Friday August 26.
Gallery of images from Emley AFC v Golcar United by Huddersfield Hub photographer SEAN DOYLE
