By Martin Eastwood
James Walshaw fired Emley AFC into the NCEL League Cup final keeping them on course for a league and cup double.
Joe Clegg and Walshaw got the goals as the Pewits won 2-1 at Rossington Main to make a date in the final at Scunthorpe United’s ground on May 8.
Clegg gave the champions the lead after just four minutes with a free-kick that appeared to take a touch off Ruben Jerome, however Clegg was credited with the goal.
Ten minutes later Rossington hit back when a fast attack was halted by a foul in the area. Lewis Archer sent Dec Lambton the wrong way from the penalty spot and it was 1-1.
It was almost 2-1 a few minutes later when Jerome found himself clear and rounded the keeper. He rolled the ball towards goal but could only watch in disbelief as the ball hit the post and rolled along the line before being cleared.
Emley came under pressure at the start of the second half but held firm. With fresh legs on in the shape of Donae Lawrence for Tom Haigh, Emley found a second wind and Lawrence wasted little time in getting into the action but he pulled a long range shot wide.
Rossington had played the offside trap well all night but were finally caught out by Iyrwah Gooden but he couldn’t beat the keeper who saved well with his legs.
Emley, however, won it in the 65th minute through the individual skill of Walshaw who jinked this way and that creating space for a shot which he curled into the roof of the net.
Rossington weren’t out of it, though, and came back with their dangerman Manasse Kianga crashing a belter of a shot against the bar. The same player was then denied by a good one-on-one save by Lambton.
Gooden and Jerome were thwarted and James Knowles’ header was saved as Emley saw out the game to set up a trip to the Attis Arena.
Emley will face either Parkgate, Silsden or Campion in the final and won’t know their opponents until May 1.
