Emley AFC are into the final of the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Cup for the first time in 21 years after beating Nostell MW 7-0 in a dominant display.
Four goals from forward Iyrwah Gooden topped off a wonderful night for the Pewits. Alex Metcalfe, Joe Clegg and Rikki Paylor also got themselves on the scoresheet.
Emley will face either Sheffield FC or Maltby Main in the final at a venue to be decided. Emley’s last appearance in the fifth oldest cup competition in England ended in a 3-0 defeat to Doncaster Rovers at Hillsborough in 2002 but Pewits’ fans old and young will be hoping for cup silverware this time around.
On the game against Nostell, Emley boss Richard Tracey said: “Despite the scoreline in the end, fair play to Nostell they had a good go. It took us 10 minutes to get going. They play out from the back, they were really brave and we were sloppy at times and luckily they didn’t punish us for it.
“Once we got our noses in front I felt we controlled the game, we then got a second before half-time. We haven’t really killed games off this season but I thought second half we managed to do that quite comfortably. The lads then could enjoy the fixture without that pressure which was nice to see.”
The first goal of the night came just after the half-hour mark when an Emley corner from the left was headed back across goal by Paylor. The ball landed at Gooden’s feet and he fired home to make it 1-0. The striker added a second just before half-time.
The Pewits’ third goal came five minutes after the re-start when a defensive error allowed Gooden the easiest chance of a hat-trick he’ll probably ever have.
Emley’s No9 grabbed his fourth of the night in the 54th minute, slotting the ball past the keeper to round off an outstanding performance.
Emley weren’t done yet, though, as Metcalfe found the net to make it 5-0 in the 70th minute. Clegg added a sixth goal with five minutes remaining and there was still time for Paylor to complete the rout and make it 7-0.
The Pewits are back in league action on Saturday February 18 when Bottesford Town visit the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground.
