AFC Emley boss Darren Hepworth celebrating last year’s incredible 3-2 win over Wigan Robin Park in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Not so dramatic this year lads.
That’s the message from Darren Hepworth as AFC Emley prepare to face Ashton Athletic in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round on Sunday.
The match against the North West Counties Premier Division side takes place almost a year to the day since Emley sensationally scored twice during injury-time to beat Wigan Robin Park 3-2.
Hepworth ran on the pitch twice like either Bob Stokoe or David Pleat to celebrate both goals, but he hopes it won’t be so dramatic this year.
“The Wigan Robin Park game, I’ll tell you what, I’ll never ever forget it,” he said.
“Talk about the magic of the FA Cup.
“We were 2-1 down and dead and buried and I was just thinking actually ‘how am I going to pick the lads up after the game’ because we had dominated.
“To turn it round like we did was just brilliant.
“Both goals were just as good. I think I went on the pitch both times.
“When the equaliser went in, I thought ‘ok we’re off to Wigan on Tuesday night and we’ll take that’.
“To go and get the winner was just the magic of the Cup.
“I’ll settle for 3-0 (on Sunday) – three early goals and a nice easy win will do.”
Ashton have won one, drawn two and lost one since the North West Counties began the start of the month.
Emley themselves have had a dream start in the Toolstation NCEL Division One campaign and Hepworth is hopeful of victory.
“It is a step into the unknown,” he said.
“We have good form against North West Counties sides.
“We beat Glossop up here and I know it was a pre-season friendly, but we were good value.
“We have played the likes of Barnoldswick and Congleton as well who have been scalps before.
Emley have had a turbulent summer.
Wakefield FC were due to ground share at the Welfare Ground, but their prospective tenants folded leaving with the club with a financial problem.
Emley issued a statement to outline their predicament which Hepworth says has been resolved.
But, he admits that his club could do with a cup run.
“It has been quite open in the press around the financial situation at Emley,” he said.
“The financial situation is pretty healthy, it has definitely improved.
“The club itself is on a firm footing. That said, in grassroots football, you do depend on a run in the FA Cup.
“Above all else, it is great for the players. You can go on a run or feature against teams who you would not normally play against.
“We would love to have a run because it is important from the income point of view. It’s the same with the Vase.
“A run in one of those competitions is really important.”