Joe Jagger grabs hat-trick as Emley AFC twice come from behind to see off Thackley

By Martin Eastwood

Joe Jagger scored a hat-trick to take his tally to 25 goals for the season as Emley AFC made it back-to-back wins as they look to chase down NCEL Premier Division leaders North Ferriby.

Jagger’s treble ensured a 4-2 victory at Thackley as the Pewits twice came from behind to claim the points.

Thackley were ahead in the 16^th minute when Lewis Waddington won the race to a ball over the top and chipped Emley keeper Dec Lambton with Tom Greaves on hand to nod home.

Emley equalised 20 minutes later when Jake Kelly set up Jagger for a cracking right foot volley.

There was a controversial moment right at the end of the first half when the hosts thought they had scored again. It was given as offside with their claims that the linesman’s flag didn’t go up, a decision that infuriated The Dennyboys.

It was all square at the break but Thackley went ahead again just before the hour mark when Greaves stabbed home his second from close range.

Donae Lawrence then looked to have a great chance but his off-balance shot was saved, Sam Pashley set off on a mazy run across the field but couldn’t direct his final shot on target and Jagger was also wide as Emley looked to finish strong.

Emley made changes in personnel and positioning and it seemed to work. Joe Clegg replaced the hard-working Kelly and was immediately into the thick of things, causing problems down the right and cutting inside.

Lawrence was replaced by Hayden Webster and Emley looked like a completely different side with fresh legs on a heavy pitch and they were to completely change the game in the last 15 minutes.

Two goals in two minutes from Jagger turned the game around. Metcalfe worked hard in midfield to get the ball into Jagger’s path and the league’s top scorer fired in a low shot from inside the area to draw the Pewits level.

Straight afterwards James Walshaw was brought down in the box and Jagger smashed home the penalty in the 78^th minute to put Emley ahead at 3-2 for the first time in the match.

The Pewits were determined not to let Thackley back into the game and Clegg wrapped up the victory with a cracking fourth four minutes from time.

Emley’s next game is a Sheffield senior cup tie at home to North Gawber on Tuesday December 6 (7.45) before Handsworth are the next league opponents at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground on Saturday December 10 (3.00).