Report

Heaton Stannington fans travelled to West Yorkshire to give Emley their best FA Vase attendance of the season, 438, but they witnessed the end of their Vase journey for this season, at the same stage as last season, conceding a lone second half goal.

Expectations were high, Leighton Hopper had a superb solo run in the opening minute, leaving 3 men behind but was unable to test keeper Declan Lambton, but a big blow on 5 minutes as he tackled Paul Walker, and had to be substituted by Liam Doyle.  

Emley started brightly and exerted pressure in the early period of the first half, their midfield well on top, with Stan missing the suspended Richie Slaughter. 

On 14 minutes right back Samuel Pashley did well to deny Andy Burn a shot, but conceded a corner on the right. Dan Stephenson took it, setting up Sean Reid to run onto and head the ball low and wide. Joe Shepherd did well with a high ball as Lambton looked to get in and score. 

On 21 minutes nearly a great through ball for Konner Lamb but the ball hit his heel as he surged forward. Just inches away from a most interesting opportunity for Stan.

Tom Flynn was again outstanding, but needed some treatment but was able to continue. 

Emley captain Alex Metcalfe, put in an excellent cross but Ruben Jerome headed inches over the bar. Shepherd blocked a shot by Joe Clegg, and Craig Scott did similarly with 2 shots. Stan mistake at the back but Flynn made another good save. 

An Emley corner on 42 minutes, but Stan breakaway, Lamb to Stephenson, but Metcalfe got back to deny Stan.  

Three minutes added on with Stan winning a free kick but Stephenson fired over the bar. 

HT 0-0 

On 51 minutes Doyle drove a shot over the bar. Three minutes later good fortune for Emley, when they built up well from a throw in, the ball ricocheting to Metcalfe who poked in from close range. 0-1

Emley the better side but a cruel way to concede.

On the hour the first of 6 bookings in the match, Joseph Kenny, Emley

Flynn saved a couple of low shots, one from Emley leading goal scorer, Iyrwah Gooden, was well saved.

Mark Turnbull won a corner on the right, Stephenson took giving Scott a header which Lambton saved.

Nathan Greenwood made his debut, replacing Shepherd on 64 minutes. He soon had a low shot saved by Lambton.

69 minutes Kane Evans was booked.

Then a good link between Stephenson and Louis Anderson, great ball for Greenwood who shot from a narrow angle, which helped Lambton make a save.  

On 73 minutes another Stan opportunity when Anderson crossed for Burn, but he didn’t connect properly. 

75 minutes Lamb cut inside with his strong shot hitting a defender, did he use his arm, Far corner thought so, but referee pointed to his shoulder and ignored Stan appeals for a penalty.

On 77 minutes, a foul by Turnbull, which produced a yellow card for him. The free kick, a cross for Jack Cowgill to head goalwards but Flynn made his best save of the game, outstanding!

On 80 minutes Scott was booked, then Reid, with Jerome booked for kicking the ball away, in an attept to run the clock down.

In the dying moments Anderson with his back to goal managed a bicycle kick but Lambton made a good save.

Stan did throw everything into the closing minutes but were unable to snatch an equaliser.  

Brian Pratt

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