Former AFC Emley striker Ashley Flynn celebrates his second goal for Shaw Lane Aquaforce. Flynn was later sent off in his side’s 3-2 defeat.
AFC Emley came back from the dead to beat ten man Toolstation NCEL Division One promotion contenders Shaw Lane Aquaforce in a thrilling encounter at the Welfare Ground, writes James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson).
Ashley Flynn had returned to haunt his former side and put Shaw Lane into a comfortable 2-0 lead. However, Flynn was sent off for a second bookable offence after an alleged dive and that proved to be the turning point.
The torrential rain started again midway through the second half and that’s when Emley’s fight-back began.
Sylbert Stewart struck twice to draw the home side level and at the death, Doran Jordan scored the dramatic winner for Emley – sparking similar scenes that followed their FA Cup victory over Wigan Robin Park in August.
The victory was Emley’s first in four Division One games and an ecstatic Emley manager Darren Hepworth said: “Today was a result for a team that believes in themselves and a victory for teams that build over ones that buy.
“That is six points we have taken off them and I’m delighted. I’m more delighted for the lads because they never up. At 2-0 down we felt ourselves a bit unfortunate, but at half-time the mood in the dressing room was really positive.
“We talked about going out for the second half and really giving it a go and we did. Up until the sending-off we were looking to try and find space and get in behind them. This was proving challenging.
“The conditions made it difficult for both teams. In the second half it did get worse, but it didn’t stop us from trying to play. We haven’t been playing badly in the last few weeks, but it just hasn’t gone our way. Maybe today it has.”
Doran Jordan (left) scored the dramatic 86th minute winner for AFC Emley
The match was one of just six played in the entire NCEL and a downpour at two o’clock almost caused another postponement. Referee Andy Smith did a late pitch inspection and was satisfied and the rain held off until late into the second half.
Simon Houghton’s Shaw Lane, leaders of the Division before kick-off, meant business and the first goal arrived on seven minutes. Emley defended poorly and allowed last season’s 42 goal hero weave his way through inside the penalty area and allow him to send a powerful strike into the top corner.
Emley responded in a positive manner. Jack Steers was close to scoring with a header and Alex Hallam had a goal-bound attempt blocked.
The home side was then hit by another sucker-punch – Flynn converted again from close range and Aquaforce looked set to cruise to victory.
Almost straight from kick-off, Flynn was yellow carded for a bad challenge on Anthony Leech – a tackle that Hepworth said the striker should have given a straight red card. The moment was decisive as the game wore on.
The striker almost scored his hat-trick as half-time approached – after rounding goalkeeper Adam Lawlor, he could only find the side-netting.
The pair were then involved in the next key and crucial moment. Eight minutes into the second half, Flynn appeared to be brought down by Lawlor in the penalty area.
Shaw Lane looked set to be awarded a penalty and a chance to seal the three points until referee Smith deemed that Flynn had dived and issued a second yellow card.
From being on the verge of winning Shaw Lane’s comfortable lead was suddenly in jeopardy.
Shaw Lane Aquaforce midfielder Aaron Joseph, playing against his former club, battiling for the ball
Emley took their time hitting back. Substitute Ryan Pleasants deserves huge credit for his part in the goal. He injured himself by throwing himself in the path of the ball that Aquaforce goalkeeper Jamie Green was trying to clear. A ricochet off Pleasants fell to Stewart and the striker was able to score.
With wind becoming stronger, Shaw Lane were struggling defensively. Midfielder Josh Ingham was the provider for Emley’s equaliser – his pass found Stewart and with the Aquaforce defence failing to react, the striker neatly placed the ball under the on-rushing goalkeeper Green.
Neither side were settling for a point either. Shaw Lane forward Kane Reece was denied by an excellent save from Jake Lawlor. A last ditch defensive block then denied Mark Whitehouse’s replacement Danny Barlow’s rebound strike.
The wind and torrential rain became even worse from Shaw Lane’s perspective as every high clearance was brought back by the conditions – and Jordan took advantage. Goalkeeper Green was in no-man’s land in his penalty area, but still somehow managed to save Jordan’s initial effort.
The ball was briefly cleared before coming into the box. Jordan was standing on the far right side of the 18-yard-box and he fired a neat volley towards goal. With Green off his line, the ball found the net and Emley celebrated knocking Shaw Lane off top spot in dramatic circumstances.
The conditions were a nightmare towards the end for both sides, but the two teams served up a classic NCEL encounter.
AFC Emley: Lawlor, Leech (Pleasants 57 (Crookes 71), Brook (captain), Ingham, Jerome, Steers (Wadsworth 76), Tunnacliffe, Jordan, Kenworthy, Stewart, Hallam. Subs unused: McLoughlin, Stead.
Shaw Lane Aquaforce: Green, Cobley, Fawcus, Grace, Cyrus (captain), Joseph, Reece, Swift (Claisse 66), Flynn, Price (McDonnell 60), Whitehouse (Barlow 78). Subs unused: McGhie, Danville.
Referee: A Smith (Castleford)
Attendance: 177
Man of the match: Aaron Joseph (Shaw Lane Aquaforce)
Match Photos are HERE