Corey Gregory scored the winner for Stocksbridge in the Senior Cup
Hemsworth Miners Welfare and Stocksbridge Park Steels served up a classic Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup tie.
Hemsworth came back from 2-0 down to draw level and higher league Stocksbridge only scraped through with Corey Gregory’s strike on the hour mark.
Both sides had players missing, but no-one could question the effort and entertainment on show in Fitzwilliam. On a different day, Hemsworth could have easily claimed a notable shock victory.
Poor defending gave Stocksbridge a head start with two goals in the opening 15 minutes – remarkable considering that the Steels did not have a fully-fledged striker on the field.
In-form Rory Coleman struck the deadlock breaker with a low finish before Gregory diverted a wayward effort past Chris Snaith for number two.
Hemsworth kept their heads up and created several chances. Harry Viggars had an attempt cleared off-the-line and the normally reliable Shane Kelsey missed a sitter.
The home side’s route back into the tie was eventually navigated by Sam Jones, whose tame effort went through the legs of Steels goalkeeper David Reay.
Stocksbridge had to sustain pressure at the end of the first half and more at the start of the second.
Billy Law headed wide from close range before Kelsey scored a superb equaliser from a tight angle.
Hemsworth now appeared to have the momentum and a good bet to go and win it until Wayne Benn’s men were hit by a sucker punch.
Just moments after being denied penalty, an error from Snaith allowed Gregory to lob the Wells goalkeeper from distance and score the winner.
Even then the game was relentless as Reay denied Law with a low save after the striker had eluded the Stocksbridge defence.
Then with one of the best passages of play in the match, Gregory, captain Richard Patterson and Harrison Biggins provided Louis Shaw with a glorious opening – only for the attacker to place the ball wide of the goal.
Hemsworth did tire and opportunities were limited at both ends in the closing stages, but no-one could complain about not getting their money’s worth.
Hemsworth Miners Welfare: Snaith, Wilson, Clark, Jones, Viggars, Steers (Tonks 54), Connolly, Yates (captain), Kelsey, Law (Crapper 89), Blair (Swift HT). Sub unused: Pickering.
Stocksbridge Park Steels: D Reay, Meade, Coleman, Cardwell, Laight, Rhodes, Biggins, Thompson (Shaw 62), Fox. Subs unused: Hinchliffe, D Reay, Rueven,
Referee: Colin Unwin
Ref Rating: 7/10 (easy game to referee)
Attendance: 85
Man of the match: Sam Jones (Hemsworth Miners Welfare)
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