Emley celebrate Jordan Townend’s first half equaliser. Photo: Mark Parsons
AFC Emley’s run in the FA Vase came to an end as they lost 4-2 away at North Shields, however, it was a fighting performance and one to be proud of, (report by James Holder).
Emley started the game well, forcing the hosts onto the back foot earning a string of corners. From one of the corners, the visitors nearly took an early lead, Sam Jerome rose highest to meet a cross with a thumping header, however, Chris Bannon in the North Shields goal pulled off a great save to deny the big centre half.
North Shields then had their first attempt at the Emley goal, Denver Morris cut inside and got his shot away, but the ball drifted narrowly wide with Adam Lawlor having the strike covered.
The hosts did break the deadlock moments later when Morris broke into the Emley box, rounded Lawlor and squared it to Dean Holmes who stroked it into an empty net.
The visitors restored parity shortly after, Jordan Townend getting his name on the score sheet. Some neat passing in the Emley midfield led to Alex Hallam playing a through ball for Townend to run onto and placing the ball past the on rushing goalkeeper.
AFC Emley then went close to getting the second of the game just before the half time interval. Antony Leech strode out of midfield and to the edge of the box before unleashing an effort on goal. His effort went narrowly wide, past the back post.
The hosts began the second half in the ascendancy, making it 2-1 within minutes of the restart. A long direct ball was miss-controlled by Sam Jerome and allowed Gareth Bainbridge through on goal and he calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net.
Alex Hallam went close to getting the equaliser for Emley, turning in the box, but found his effort deflected behind for a corner. From the resulting corner, Sam Jerome redeemed himself of his earlier mistake. He won the first initial header which was blocked on the line, but pounced first to poke the ball at goal. The defenders managed to clear the ball, but the linesman ruled that the ball had crossed the line, giving Emley their deserved goal.
Once again the hosts took the lead in the tie and once again it was courtesy of a long ball that split the Emley defence. This time it was James Luccock who ran onto the pass, beating Lawlor to the ball and passing his effort into the goal.
The hosts then managed to get a two goal cushion in the match, Benjamin Richardson becoming the fourth player to get his name on the North Shields score sheet. The goal came about following some neat play down the North Shields left, resulting in Holmes crossing into the box and Richardson tapping the ball home at the back post.
The scoring may have ended, but both sides had chances to grab another. First Ryan Brook managed to clear an effort off the line after Richardson had rounded Alex Lawlor. Whilst at the other end Emley managed to get numerous attempts at goal during a goalmouth scramble, however, the North Shields defence put their bodies on the line to deny Emley that third goal.
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