Nash Connolly got the winner in Hemsworth’s fortunate victory over AFC Emley
Nash Connolly scored the late winner as Hemsworth Miners Welfare showed their ugly side in the smash and grab 2-1 victory over AFC Emley in Fitzwilliam.
Sam Jones gave second-placed Hemsworth the lead early on before Emley deservedly equalised on the hour mark through Ash Flynn.
Emley appeared to be the team most likely to score again until Connolly scrambled the decisive strike to keep the home side in second place in the Toolstation NCEL Division One table on goals difference.
Hemsworth chief Wayne Benn predicted in the build-up that the meeting of the local rivals would be a “tight game” and that proved to be correct.
He also said that he had also seen his in-form side win in style in recent weeks and then also grind out victories in an “ugly” way.
The latter was the case on this particular afternoon which began extremely well for them. Jones, who has now scored four goals in five games since joining from Garforth, wriggled his way into the penalty area and managed to score with a scuffed finish.
Instead of sulking, Emley recovered the slow start. Kieran Ryan possibly should have equalised straightaway after firing just wide when bearing down on Wells goalkeeper Chris Snaith.
Attacking the end where Hemsworth’s famous pair of flags are back on show after being rescued from Bacup this week, Emley twice went close with Flynn efforts.
Sam Jones gives Hemsworth the lead after just four minutes
Goal-scorer Jones on the attack for Hemsworth
Hemsworth manager Wayne Benn admitted that despite the win, his side gave a poor performance
The famous flags were back at Hemsworth after being accidentally left at Bacup following the FA Vase tie two weeks ago. A rescue mission was performed a few days ago
Ash Flynn celebrates his equaliser
It wasn’t for the faint-hearted at times
AFC Emley chief Darren Hepworth said the defeat was hard to take after his side gave their all
Star player Shane Kelsey provided a magnificent delivery from a free kick to supply the winner
Emley further stepped up the pressure in the second half. Hemsworth were rocking and an Emley equaliser was inevitable. A superb passage of play ended with Flynn breaking away and sending a low drive past Snaith.
There was a rare foray into Emley’s half as substitute Darcy Pugh was inches from scoring for Hemsworth 60 seconds after the equaliser.
After the scare, Emley cranked the pressure up again and Hemsworth defender Adam Wilson saved his team by clearing a goal-bound chance off-the-line.
However, there was to be a cruel twist for Emley. Danger-man Shane Kelsey’s magnificent delivery from a free kick gave Emley problems inside the penalty area and the ball became loose as goalkeeper Adam Lawlor attempted to deal with it. Connolly, up-front because regular striker Bill Law was moving house, pounced and placed the ball into the now empty net.
Harsh on Emley, but Hemsworth won’t care.
Hemsworth Miners Welfare manager Wayne Benn: “We were fortunate to win the game.
“I said to Daz (Hepworth) coming off that they certainly didn’t deserve to lose the game.
“I think with the squad being stretched and the schedule we have had, that was to blame for a poor performance by us.
“But, no excuses, Emley played better than us. We have been the better team on numerous occasions and lost so I know how Daz feels.
“I’m just delighted to get the three points. Sometimes it is about winning ugly and grinding a result out.
“We never passed it or done anything we’re good at all game. We were lethargic and defensively we looked ordinary so we have got away with it.
“We weren’t at the races, but we sneaked a valuable three points which keeps us right up there.”
AFC Emley manager Darren Hepworth: “It is hard to take because the performance was outstanding.
“We didn’t get off to the best start because we conceded early, but our response to that was brilliant.
“The performances have been really coming for me and we’re not far away. The manner of their winning goal was hard to take, simply because they got a bit of luck on the day.
“That’s what was football is like sometimes, you have to take the rough with the smooth.
“We deserved at least a point, if not all three. We created enough chances to win the game and we were to rue those missed chances.”
Hemsworth Miners Welfare: Snaith, Wilson (Hayward 86), Clark, Swift, Tonks, Steers, Jones (Viggars 60), Yates (captain), Kelsey, Connolly, Blair (Pugh 60). Subs unused: Pickering, Pleasants.
AFC Emley: Lawlor, Coduri, Spicer, Tunnacliffe (captain), S Jerome, Brennan, Graham (Townend 89), R Jerome, Flynn, K Ryan, Scrivens (Hallam 59). Subs unused: Howson, D Ryan, Slack.
Referee: Daniel Bennett
Ref Rating: 6/10 (did ok in patches)
Attendance: 112
Man of the match: Jordan Coduri (AFC Emley)