Antony Brown celebrates his goal in AFC Emley’s 2-0 success over Widnes in the FA Vase
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AFC Emley added more chapters to their rich FA Vase story with a straightforward 2-0 win over Widnes in the second qualifying round tie.
First half goals from Antony Brown and Ryan Brook steered Toolstation NCEL Division One leaders Emley into Monday’s draw.
On a different day, Emley could have scored five or six times against their poor North West Counties Division One opponents.
The tie was meant to be at the Halton Stadium, but due to the unavailability of their home ground, Widnes had to surrender home advantage.
That was a big plus for Emley, who always carry a huge weight of expectation when the Vase comes around each year.
The glory days of the 1980s, one big chapter alone in Emley’s incredible history, are still remembered strongly.
Mention the likes of striker John Francis and you will hear tales of Gerry Quinn’s men reaching the Vase Final at Wembley in 1988.
The reformed Emley have already tasted smaller success in the Vase with current manager Darren Hepworth guiding his side into the fourth round proper only 18 months ago.
Hepworth still ranks the Vase win at Barnoldswick Town during that run as the finest of his four-year tenure at the Welfare Ground.
The performance at Barnoldswick is what the class of 2014 need to emulate if they are to write their own names in Emley folklore and they have a great chance if their league form is anything to go by.
He did have a make a few changes from the side that won 5-2 at Teversal in midweek.
Steve Kenworthy and Paul Sykes were on holiday, while Ruben Jerome and Anthony Leech were missing due to food poisoning and a suspected broken wrist.
Even with those players missing, Emley were still very strong.
Upfront Ash Flynn made his first start since his much-heralded return and he lined up alongside Alex Hallam, Max Leonard and Brown.
Antony Brown prepares to score the opening goal for AFC Emley
Ryan Brook runs off to celebrate AFC Emley’s second goal
AFC Emley manager Darren Hepworth said he felt relaxed during the win which keeps his club’s rich tradition in the FA Vase going
AFC Emley had plenty of chances to kill Widnes off
That’s some fearsome forward line and Widnes struggled to cope.
Their style of play and insistence of passing it out from the back played right into Emley’s hands.
Emley were able to press them high up the pitch and that created a number of opportunities.
Leonard forced a good save from Widnes goalkeeper David Nevitt before the opening goal on eight minutes.
Poor defending allowed Brown to waltz into the box and plant a low shot into the net.
Even though it remained 1-0 for a long period, Emley always looked comfortable.
Whilst goalkeeper Adam Lawlor was the star man, he did not actually have a proper save to make.
However, Lawlor snuffed out any potential danger and showed great command of his area which was a massive platform towards the win.
Emley kept pressing and the second goal arrived close to half-time.
Widnes failed to deal with a Hallam corner and allowed Emley to play ping-pong across the penalty area.
The ball came back to Hallam and he placed it into the six-yard box and Brook was able to score with a close range header.
Widnes were lucky the game did not turn into a demolition derby during the second half.
Flynn was the first Emley player guilty of wasting a chance when the goal was gaping,
Hallam then missed a sitter on the hour.
Even as the game wore on, Widnes did not look like scoring.
Ben Tollitt created their best moment after breaking away from Brook, but the quick alertness of Lawlor prevented the Widnes winger getting his shot away.
Emley finished strongly and they should have put the game to bed.
Leonard, Brown, Hallam and substitute Niall Simpson all either put their attempt wide or had an effort saved by Nevitt.
Ultimately the amount of goals did not matter and Emley can look forward to the next round in four weeks’ time.
AFC Emley manager Darren Hepworth said: “I’m really pleased because we made seven changes for various reasons today.
“It has been a trying week and it has tested the squad, but it showed the strength of the set-up we have got here, with the development squad in particular.
“It was a comfortable performance and I even said to the lads at the end that we just have made it a little bit easier for ourselves by taking our chances in the second half.
“It could have been four or five and it would have not flattered us.
“You always run the risk when you don’t take your chances to kill the game.
“At 2-0 we were in control of the game and I was quite relaxed actually.”
Widnes FC: Nevitt, Davies, Carney, Lennon, Mitchell, Cooper, Tollitt (captain), McCarthy, Molloy, Ludgate, Douglas (Hughes 57). Subs unused: Williams, Lomax, Burns.
AFC Emley: Lawlor, Ingham, Starkey, Tunnacliffe, S Jerome, Brook (captain), Townend, Leonard (Goddard 85), Flynn (Simpson 64), Brown, Hallam (Scrivens 85). Subs unused: Jordan, Wadsworth.
Referee: John Macrae
Ref Rating: 9/10
Attendance: 106
Man of the match: Adam Lawlor (AFC Emley)